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Texas Attorney and Hip-Hop Artists Challenge Use of Rap Lyrics in Dallas Death Penalty Sentencing
About 30 artists and scholars argue that using rap lyrics as evidence in capital cases fuels racial bias and violates constitutional rights, supported by Texas appellate attorney Chad Baruch.
- Chad Baruch, Dallas appellate attorney, filed an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court on Monday, March 9, 2026, backed by more than 30 artists and scholars including Killer Mike, Young Thug, T.I., Anthony Anderson and Kevin Liles.
- At his original capital trial in 2009, prosecutors introduced over 40 pages of handwritten rap lyrics and faced jury‑selection challenges involving a nearly all-white jury in Garland music studio, where Broadnax was convicted for murders outside the location.
- Mr. Baruch argued that treating rap as literal evidence invites jurors to decide based on fear and stereotypes, citing the jury's review of lyrics twice, including hours before sentencing.
- The brief asks the U.S. Supreme Court to rule against using rap lyrics as proof of future dangerousness, contending prosecutors stoked racial and anti-rap bias by treating Broadnax's artistic expression as evidence, violating First Amendment protections.
- The case has become a flashpoint in the national debate over courtroom use of rap lyrics, with Houston rapper Travis Scott joining the legal effort and Chad Baruch building on his 2015 'Hip-Hop Brief'.
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13 Articles
Till Hesterbrink Tue., March 10, 2026 - 1:01 PM Tags Supreme Court Death Penalty Rap Lyrics Conviction Channel (formerly: Article Type) News Teaser Text: Travis Scott, Young Thug, and Killer Mike advocate for a man sentenced to death. Page Sections Numerous rappers, including Travis Scott, Young Thug, and Killer Mike, are writing letters to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that rap lyrics should not be admissible as evidence. This is due to the pe…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 43%
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