NC Black Leadership Caucus Calls on Attorney General to Stop Execution; Caucus Outraged by Racist Element in Death Sentence
Posted: March 26, 2004
North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT Larry D. Hall, Chairman, (919) 682-8823
For Immediate Release, March 25, 2004
NC Black Leadership Caucus Calls on Attorney General to Stop Execution; Caucus Outraged by Racist Element in Death Sentence
DURHAM - The North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus today demanded that NC Attorney General Roy Cooper halt efforts to execute Kenneth Rouse, the African-American man who was sentenced to death in a sexual assault and murder trial tainted by admitted racism. Rouse is scheduled for execution on April 16th.
A member of Rouse's jury has admitted in an affidavit that he lied about his racist feelings against African Americans during jury selection so that he could have the chance to sit on the jury and convict Rouse. The juror admitted that he believes "black men rape white women so they can brag to their friends." The juror routinely refers to African Americans as the "N" word. The same juror concealed the fact that his mother was sexually assaulted and murdered.
Rouse was denied an appeal because his attorneys filed his appeal one day late. As a result, no court has considered the role that the juror's admitted racism played in Rouse's death sentence.
“I am outraged and concerned that the integrity and credibility of the justice system is being undermined by irrefutable racist and illegal acts while our state officials stand idly by. For the state to pursue the execution of Kenneth Rouse while knowing that the jury decision was tainted by illegal and racially motivated acts is unconscionable," said Attorney Larry D. Hall, chairman of the North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus. "We call on the governor and the attorney general to stop the execution of Kenneth Rouse under this tainted and illegal verdict."
The North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus is working tirelessly to help pass the bill for a two-year moratorium on executions in North Carolina and last month issued a resolution in support of the moratorium. The Rouse case is an egregious, yet clear example of the injustices that thrive in the system and why the moratorium is needed.
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PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT Larry D. Hall, Chairman, (919) 682-8823
For Immediate Release, March 25, 2004
NC Black Leadership Caucus Calls on Attorney General to Stop Execution; Caucus Outraged by Racist Element in Death Sentence
DURHAM - The North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus today demanded that NC Attorney General Roy Cooper halt efforts to execute Kenneth Rouse, the African-American man who was sentenced to death in a sexual assault and murder trial tainted by admitted racism. Rouse is scheduled for execution on April 16th.
A member of Rouse's jury has admitted in an affidavit that he lied about his racist feelings against African Americans during jury selection so that he could have the chance to sit on the jury and convict Rouse. The juror admitted that he believes "black men rape white women so they can brag to their friends." The juror routinely refers to African Americans as the "N" word. The same juror concealed the fact that his mother was sexually assaulted and murdered.
Rouse was denied an appeal because his attorneys filed his appeal one day late. As a result, no court has considered the role that the juror's admitted racism played in Rouse's death sentence.
“I am outraged and concerned that the integrity and credibility of the justice system is being undermined by irrefutable racist and illegal acts while our state officials stand idly by. For the state to pursue the execution of Kenneth Rouse while knowing that the jury decision was tainted by illegal and racially motivated acts is unconscionable," said Attorney Larry D. Hall, chairman of the North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus. "We call on the governor and the attorney general to stop the execution of Kenneth Rouse under this tainted and illegal verdict."
The North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus is working tirelessly to help pass the bill for a two-year moratorium on executions in North Carolina and last month issued a resolution in support of the moratorium. The Rouse case is an egregious, yet clear example of the injustices that thrive in the system and why the moratorium is needed.
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