Harris (Texas) death penalties show racial pattern

[No Joe]

Source: Houston Chronicle

The last white man to join death row from Harris County was a convicted serial killer in 2004. Since then, 12 of the last 13 men newly condemned to die have been black, a Houston Chronicle analysis of prison and prosecution records shows.

The latest death sentence was handed down in October to a Hispanic.

The role of race in capital punishment has emerged repeatedly this year in the unsuccessful appeals by Duane Buck, an African-American from Houston convicted in a double murder. His 1997 sentencing featured testimony from a former prison psychiatrist who claimed blacks are more dangerous than whites.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Harris-death-penalties-show-racial-pattern-2266344.php#photo-1751148

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What is it with that state???

[tawadi]

1. What is it with that state?

I'm afraid it happens everywhere. Though it is easy and simplistic to blame a state.

[No Joe]

2. But even accounting for population

there seem to be a disproportionate number of really fucked-up events there.

[tawadi]

4. It does seem that way, sometimes, doesn't it?

:shrug:

[kentauros]

7. Personally, I think it only "seems that way" because

bashing Texas is the #1 favorite pastime on DU.

[toddwv]

9. Texas, along with other "conservative" states, doesn't make itself a prime target?

Do you think that questioning why 12 of the last 13 of those executed in Texas have been minorities is just "bashing Texas"?

[kentauros]

10. If you read the posts above, you "might" understand

why I made that statement. Or, just stick around LBN and GD a little longer and observe. I'm not complaining about any deserved or undeserved sentiment on just this one instance.

[Vincardog]

5. The .01% have had it their way in TX for so long that the Democratic part doesn't even try to fight

[HopeHoops]

3. Gee - what a shock.

:sarcasm:

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

6. It is a pretty simple calculation on the part of prosecutors

Prosecutors will never seek the death penalty if they believe it threatens their ability to get a conviction. A "sympathetic" defendant facing the death penalty can be difficult to convict.

[KamaAina]

8. More in this month's issue of DUH! magazine

on newsstands now. :eyes: