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by chassan from Houston

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IS HOUSTON COURT JUSTICE FAIR
Jul 23, 2008 | 9:21 PM
Category: News
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IS JUSTICE AT THE HOUSTON FEDERAL COURTHOUSE FAIR TO BLACKS

Justice at the Houston federal courthouse can sometimes be puzzling.

Take jury selection in this case, for example.

The estate of Jimmie Lee O'Neal, a black, sued Harris County for O'Neal's death during his 20-day stay in the county lockup.

During jury selection, the county's lawyers struck a black member from the jury panel, because she had only a high school education and was "not paying attention" and was "mumbling to herself." The defense objected, claiming the county bumped her because she was black. She was the only black who could have served on the jury.

Later that day, another jury member who is white fell asleep during the trial.

The judge then discovered that the white jury member had not finished high school. The county's lawyers did not insist that the white juror be removed from the panel, explaining that he had he had worked for the same employer for 30 years and that the "school of hard knocks" counted in his favor.



The jury later found that the county was not responsible for O'Neal's death.

The case is on appeal.

Was racial bias responsibile for the jury' s decision? I don't know.

But from my viewpoint, the jury selection process smelled.

Your thoughts?
3 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 3
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PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 23, 2008 | 11:14 PM

Yes, that is very suspicious.
Skyder read my blog view my photos
Jul 24, 2008 | 7:59 AM

Of course racial bias was a factor. These shysters (sp), are out to pick a jury that is in THEIR best interest. I was struck from a jury selection just for having an opinion. (Tip: if you want out of jury duty...ask questions)
chassan read my blog view my photos
Jul 24, 2008 | 8:50 PM

Skyder,

Okay, let's say it was racial bias. I think it was, as you do, but that's our opinions.

The court thought otherwise. It rejected a defense argument that removal of the sole black violated federal law prohibiting removing a person from a jury because of race.
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chassan

I love reading books, seeing movies, staying up with current events, running and watching what I eat most of the time--got to stay healthy. I blog here in my spare time, mostly late at night and in the early morning hours.

Member Since: 3/24/2007


 

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