Week 3 of Racial Justice Act hearing begins |
Written by Josh Zach/David Horn
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Monday, 13 February 2012 10:18 |
(FAYETTEVILLE) -- Testimony from the first two weeks of the state's first Racial Justice Act hearing has centered around two studies: one from Michigan State University, the other by Dr. Joseph Katz, based on answers given by prosecutors when asked why jurors were excused.
On Friday, the defense challenged Dr. Katz on notes he took for his study, pointing out that some findings were based on oral feedback. The defense contended that is was not fair for Dr. Katz to present an expert opinion that is based on phone conversations where took no notes. Dr. Katz indicated that he believed that it was fair.
"Do you think it is fair to rely on your expert opinion that is at least partially based upon phone conversations where you purposely took no notes so that Mr. Robinson's lawyers "
Marcus Robinson, a black man, was convicted for the 1991 murder of a white teenager. He is seeking to have his death sentence changed to life in prison without parole, on the basis that racial bias played a role in the jury selection for his trial.
Testimony resumes Monday in a Cumberland County courtroom. Prosecutors are expected to call more current or former judges to testify.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 16 February 2012 00:00 |