Alabama violated constitutional rights of man sentenced to death, court rules
Share this @internewscast.com

A federal appeals court determined that Alabama prosecutors breached the constitutional rights of a Black man sentenced to death in 1990, highlighting that Black individuals were excluded from the jury during his trial.

Michael Sockwell, now 62, is eligible for a retrial following a decision on Monday by a three-judge panel from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was found guilty of murdering former Montgomery County Sheriff Isaiah Harris in 1988 at the age of 26.

In a 2-1 opinion, the panel concluded that Alabama prosecutors infringed on Sockwell’s 14th Amendment rights by “repeatedly and purposefully” dismissing potential Black jurors, presumed to be more sympathetic as they shared the same racial background.

Prosecutors argued that Harris’ wife hired Sockwell to kill Harris because she wanted to cover up an affair she was having and collect her husband’s insurance money.

Lethal injection chamber

Attorneys for Sockwell say he has a low IQ that disqualifies him from the death penalty. (AP)

The jury voted 7-5 to sentence Sockwell to life in prison, but the judge overruled the decision and sentenced him to death. Alabama no longer allows a judge to override a jury’s sentence in capital cases.

Sockwell’s attorneys appealed the decision, arguing that the prosecutors unconstitutionally used race as the basis for jury selection and rejected 80% of the potential Black jurors who were eligible for his trial, compared to only 20% of White jurors who were rejected. The appeal pointed to notes from the prosecutor that rejected one juror who she described as “a Black male, approximately twenty-three years of age, which would put him very close to the same race, sex, and age of” Sockwell.

Judge Robert J. Luck, an appointee of President Donald Trump, dissented, arguing that the prosecutor noted the race of potential White jurors too, which the judge said indicated race was not a disqualifying factor for jurors in Sockwell’s case.

Penitentiary

The jury voted 7-5 to sentence Sockwell to life in prison, but the judge overruled the decision and sentenced him to death. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)

The opinion written by Judge Charles Wilson, an appointee of former President Bill Clinton, also cited four other cases in the years leading up to Sockwell’s case, in which the state prosecutor appeared to have illegally rejected Black jurors based solely on their race, demonstrating a “pattern” of choosing juries with “discriminatory intent.”

Luck pushed back on the claim that the prosecutor had a pattern of discrimination, saying 17% of the jury in Sockwell’s trial was Black out of a jury pool that was 24% Black to begin with.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Federal government plans to air-drop sterile flies over Texas to fight flesh-eating maggots

Federal Government to Deploy Sterile Flies in Texas to Combat Flesh-Eating Maggots

The U.S. government is set to release millions of flies across Mexico…
Two hikers on the summit of Mount Whitney holding a sign.

14-Year-Old Overcomes Altitude-Induced Hallucinations During Descent from America’s Tallest Mountain as Father Observes

THE father of a teen who fell off a 120-foot cliff gave…
Man with unique hairstyle wearing a sweatshirt with three kittens printed on it.

Man Exposes Shocking Plan to Marry Off 9-Year-Old Girl in Fake Disneyland Ceremony to British Predator

A man assigned to impersonate a “bride’s father” has shared how he…
A Q-Tip and spotless car were key evidence linking Bryan Kohberger to murders of 4 Idaho students

Q-Tip and Clean Car Help Connect Bryan Kohberger to Idaho Student Murders

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — On Wednesday, the chief prosecutor presented the crucial…
Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority strikes down 176-year-old abortion ban

Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Liberal Majority Overturns 176-Year-Old Abortion Ban

The liberal majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned a 176-year-old abortion…
A carer abusing an elderly man in his son's home.

Caregiver Violently Tosses and Threatens 88-Year-Old Dementia Patient Before His Death

THIS is the shocking moment a carer “violently degrades” a frail 88-year-old…
Portrait of Colonel Ruslan Goryachkin.

Leading Putin Commander Among ‘Many Killed’ as UK’s Storm Shadow Attack Destroys Russian HQ in Ukraine After Months

ONE of Vladimir Putin’s top commanders are among the multiple dead following…
Here's how millions of people could lose health insurance if Trump's tax bill becomes law

Why Trump’s Tax Bill Could Cause Millions to Lose Health Insurance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Approximately 11.8 million adults and children could lose their…
Mugshot of Travis Caleb Decker, wanted for murder.

DNA Discovery on Handprints Intensifies Travis Decker Murder Investigation Amid Exhaustive Five-Week Search

POLICE have new evidence that links a father to the murder scene…
Russia ramps up offensives on 2 fronts in Ukraine as both sides seek an advantage before fall

Russia Intensifies Attacks on Two Fronts in Ukraine as Both Sides Strive for Upper Hand Before Autumn

A resurgent Russia has intensified military offensives on two fronts in Ukraine,…
Tearful Kim Jong Un seen mourning North Korean troops killed fighting for Russia in war against Ukraine

Emotional Kim Jong Un Mourns North Korean Soldiers Killed While Supporting Russia in Conflict with Ukraine

On Monday, state media broadcasted scenes of leader Kim Jong Un appearing…
FBI takes down Anti-Tren gang members in largest bust yet in violent migrant turf war

FBI Conducts Major Crackdown on Anti-Tren Gang in Migrant Turf Conflict

Federal officials have apprehended 16 individuals affiliated with the Anti-Tren gang in…