Buck v Davis: Racial Bias & Sixth Amendment Might Reverse Death Sentence
In Buck v Davis, 580 U. S. ____ (2017), the U.S. Supreme Court recently held that a death row inmate was likely prejudiced by expert witness testimony offered by his own defense team that suggested he was more likely to be dangerous in the future because he was black. Accordingly, the majority held Duane Buck is entitled to a new sentencing hearing.
Facts of Buck v Davis
Duane Buck was convicted of capital murder in a Texas court. Under state law, the jury was permitted to impose a death sentence only if it found unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt that Buck was likely to commit acts of violence in the future.
Buck’s attorney called a psychologist, Dr. Walter Quijano, to offer his opinion on that issue. Dr. Quijano considered several statistical factors, including Buck’s race. Although Dr. Quijano ultimately concluded that Buck was unlikely to be a future danger, his report and oral testimony stated that Buck was statistically more likely to act violently because he is black. The jury returned a sentence of death. In several post-conviction proceedings, Buck argued that his attorney’s introduction of the evidence violated his Sixth Amendment right to the effective assistance of counsel.
Majority Decision in Buck v Davis
By a vote of 6-2, the Supreme Court sided with Buck and held that he is entitled to a new sentencing hearing. Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion.
The majority concluded that Buck demonstrated ineffective assistance of counsel.
Dr. Quijano’s testimony “said, in effect, that the color of Buck’s skin made him more deserving of execution,” the Chief Justice wrote. “No competent defense attorney would introduce such evidence about his own client.”
The Court further concluded that Buck demonstrated that he suffered prejudice. “But our holding on prejudice makes clear that Buck may have been sentenced to death in part because of his race. As an initial matter, this is a disturbing departure from a basic premise of our criminal justice system: Our law punishes people for what they do, not who they are,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote.
He added: “When a jury hears expert testimony that expressly makes a defendant’s race directly pertinent on the question of life or death, the impact of that evidence cannot be measured simply by how much air time it received at trial or how many pages it occupies in the record. Some toxins can be deadly in small doses.”
Dissent in Buck v Davis
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. They argued that there was ample evidence to justify the death penalty, citing the horrific nature of the crime and Buck’s complete lack of remorse. “The facts leave no doubt that this crime was premeditated and cruel,” they wrote.
Previous Articles
Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in RICO, Immigration, and Clean Water Act Cases
by DONALD SCARINCI on October 21, 2024The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in four cases this week. The issues before the Court in...
SCOTUS Kicks Off New Term With …
by DONALD SCARINCI on October 14, 2024The U.S. Supreme Court returns to the bench on October 7, 2024. In the first week of the new term, ...
Supreme Court Rules Spousal Immigration Is Not a Right
by DONALD SCARINCI on October 7, 2024In Department of State v. Muñoz, 602 U.S. ____ (2024), the U.S. Supreme Court held that a citizen ...
The Amendments
-
Amendment1
- Establishment ClauseFree Exercise Clause
- Freedom of Speech
- Freedoms of Press
- Freedom of Assembly, and Petitition
-
Amendment2
- The Right to Bear Arms
-
Amendment4
- Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
-
Amendment5
- Due Process
- Eminent Domain
- Rights of Criminal Defendants
Preamble to the Bill of Rights
Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.
THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.