Convicted murderer Michael Sockwell could get a new trial after the U.S. Supreme Court declined Alabama Appellate Courts' appeal of a lower court ruling.
On 2 March, the US Supreme Court rejected the state's request to review a lower court ruling in the case of Michael Sockwell, 63. Sockwell was convicted of murder in 1990 and given the death sentence.
The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 opinion in June, per a CBS News report. The opinion asserted that Alabama prosecutors had violated Sockwell's 14th Amendment rights, which provide equal protection to all citizens under the law, at all government levels.
The appellate court contends that the prosecutors violated Sockwell's rights by intentionally rejecting potential Black jurors, who were believed to be more sympathetic to Sockwell during the trial.
Supreme Court Ruling Opens Door for Retrial
The US Supreme Court's decision has opened the doors for Sockwell to receive a new trial, according to the outlet. Incarcerated in 1990, Sockwell has since spent 35 years on death row. Sockwell's lawyer, Michael Rayfield, said the update is a step in the right direction.
'We appreciate the Supreme Court's decision,' Rayfield stated. 'Michael has been denied his right to a fair trial for more than 35 years. We'll continue to fight for his freedom.'
Sockwell was found guilty of killing Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy Isaiah Harris in 1990. Prosecutors also pinned the murder on Harris's wife, who hired Sockwell to shoot Harris in 1988 on his way to work.
Harris's wife was convicted of capital murder and received the death sentence. She ultimately served life in prison.
Alleged Racial Bias in Jury Selection
The 2-1 opinion, written by Judge Charles Wilson, stated that Alabama prosecutors 'repeatedly and purposefully' rejected qualified Black jurors. It notes how Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Ellen Brooks declined Eric Davis, a potential juror, without good reason.
'Brooks said that she struck Davis because he could not remember specifics about the pre-trial publicity, yet there were white jurors who could not remember what they heard about the case, and Brooks did not strike them,' Judge Wilson noted, per court documents obtained by WHNT News 19.
Brooks also 'struck 80% of the qualified Black jurors while striking only 22% of the qualified white jurors,' according to the record.
Reactions and Path Forward
Tim Gann, Madison County Chief Deputy District Attorney, insisted that Sockwell was not given a 'fair shake.'
'It is the most important thing to the outcome of a trial, I believe,' he said. 'Jury selection in capital murder cases takes so long because you have to spend a lot of time with each individual juror so that you can know exactly how they feel on certain issues before you start the process.'
In his written opinion, Wilson also noted four cases where state prosecutors may have discriminated against jury candidates.
In November, a federal judge said prosecutors must push for a new trial by 18 March, otherwise release Sockwell. The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office intends to retry Sockwell's case, according to a spokesperson.
