Inmate on death row because he's black?
A Texas man named Duane Buck, convicted of murdering two people, has been sentenced to die. He's asked an appeals court to grant him a new sentencing hearing.
Buck's appeal is supported by a broad coalition of individuals and organizations, including a former Texas governor and one of the prosecutors who convicted him. They're not arguing for a new hearing because he's innocent – there are no doubts that he committed murder.
Controversial anti-gay clinic closes
Friday on AC360 at 8 p.m. ET, Anderson Cooper will interview Alan Chambers, the leader of a controversial clinic that for decades promoted reparative therapy. Now, that clinic has shut its doors and is apologizing to gay people for the pain the program caused.
On Thursday's program, journalist Lisa Ling talked to Anderson about her interview with Chambers, and what he says his philosophy is now on changing people's sexual orientation.
Deaf toddler hears first words
The surprise on 3-year-old Grayson Clamp's face in the video is priceless. His mouth opens wide as he points to the person in front of him speaking.
It was the first time Grayson had heard sound. He was born without a cochlear nerve, which connects the brain stem to audio waves in the outside world. His parents had him fitted for a cochlear implant at a young age, but the device didn't help.
Was race a factor in death sentence?
A Texas prosecutor who helped convict a murderer is now fighting to get him a new sentencing hearing. She’s not the only one who thinks he may have been sent to death row because he's African American. Boyce Watkins and Jeffrey Toobin dig into the case.
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Post by: Filed under: Boyce Watkins • Crime & Punishment • Jeffrey Toobin • Race in America |
Will female jury hurt or help Zimmerman?
Six jurors, all female, were chosen to determine if George Zimmerman murdered Trayvon Martin, or acted in self-defense as he claims. The prosecuting and defense attorneys have referred to the jury members as five white women and one black or Hispanic woman.
Anderson Cooper asked Mark Geragos and Marcia Clark how they think the jurors' gender, race and ethnicity could factor into the trial.
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Post by: Filed under: Crime & Punishment • George Zimmerman • Trayvon Martin |
AC360 411: Whitey Bulger Trial
There were some tense moments at the James “Whitey” Bulger trial Wednesday as John “The Executioner” Martorano wrapped up three days of testimony.
Martorano, 72, came under fire during cross examination by Bulger’s attorney, Hank Brennan, who tried to portray the confessed ex-hitman as a liar with no remorse, who is trying to profit from the 20 murders he committed.
When questioned by the prosecutor, the star government witness said he and Bulger committed 11 murders together and Bulger confessed to others he did on his own.
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