Racial Justice Act: North Carolina Judge Voids 3 Deaths Sentences

Lawyers for death row inmates argues race played a factor in their sentencing for murder

A judge in North Carolina on Thursday voided the death sentences of three convicted murderers, ruling that race had played a significant role in their sentencing. It was the second ever decision under the state’s Racial Justice Act, which allows death row inmates to seek life without parole if they can show that race played a big role in their sentencing. In his decision, Judge Gregory Weeks said prosecutors' writings “long buried in case files and brought to light for the first time in this hearing…[show] powerful evidence of race consciousness and race-based decision making.” Death row inmates Tilmon Golphin, Christina Walters and Quintel Augustine each had their sentences changed to life in prison without parole. Golphin and Augustine are black and were convicted of killing police officers. Walters is a Lumbee Indian and her victim was white. (New York Times)

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