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Body of Evidence

By standdown

That's the title of an editorial in today's Houston Chronicle.  It's subtitled, "Defendant's race appears to sway Harris County death sentencing." One point forty-nine times. That's the increased likelihood of getting a death sentence in Harris County if you are black, according to a controversial new report by sociology professor Scott Phillips. Phillips, a professor at the University of Denver, is the first researcher to show strong links between a Texas defendant's race and his chance of being sentenced to death ? even when other variables, including the victim's race, are comparable. Based on data from the tenure of former District Attorney Johnny Holmes, these findings command attention. The methodology is open to debate, but the findings are too marked, and the reported consequences too grievous, to shrug them off without investigation...continue to full post

Full post as published by StandDown Texas Project on May 04, 2008 (boomark / email).