The Daily The Supreme Court Rules From Home
Apr 21, 2020
Adam Liptak, the Supreme Court correspondent for The New York Times, joins to discuss the court's recent rulings on hot-button issues like abortion rights, immigration, and jury systems. He shares insights into how the pandemic has influenced court operations and decision-making. The conversation delves into the implications of non-unanimous jury verdicts, with a spotlight on their racial history, and examines the complex alliances among justices as they tackle significant cases. Liptak also highlights the potential impact of these decisions in today's divided cultural climate.
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Ramos Case
- Evangelisto Ramos was convicted of murder in Louisiana, despite two jurors disagreeing.
- This case challenges the constitutionality of non-unanimous jury verdicts.
Racist Origins of Non-Unanimous Juries
- Ramos's lawyers argue the Sixth Amendment requires jury unanimity, applicable to states.
- Non-unanimous jury laws have racist origins, aiming to diminish minority juror influence.
Impact on Minority Jurors
- Non-unanimous verdicts can disenfranchise minority jurors.
- A black juror dissenting might prevent an all-white jury from wrongly convicting a black defendant.
