Today, Explained Tried six times for the same crime
Mar 20, 2019
Madeleine Baran, an investigative journalist and host of "In the Dark," discusses the alarming case of Curtis Flowers, who has faced six trials for a quadruple homicide in Mississippi. She highlights the racial biases in jury selection that have plagued his case, examining how the Batson Rule aims to combat such discrimination. Baran reveals the systemic injustices within the legal system and the implications of Curtis's journey to the U.S. Supreme Court, shedding light on the broader issues of racial disparity and legal misconduct.
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Curtis Flowers becomes a suspect
- Curtis Flowers, a man with no criminal record, became a suspect in a quadruple homicide.
- Police focused on him due to vague accusations from the victims' white families about his behavior.
The Batson Rule
- The Supreme Court is considering whether prosecutor Doug Evans racially discriminated during jury selection.
- This involves the Batson Rule, which prohibits striking jurors based on race.
Common Issues
- While six trials are unusual, the issues in Curtis's case are common.
- Racial bias in jury selection is widespread but poorly tracked.