THE UGLY FACE OF RACISM- Frances Choy
THE UGLY FACE OF RACISM
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of the noun "racism" is a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race. Also behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief: racial discrimination or prejudice.
An article written by Jessica Schladebeck in the New York Daily News Thursday October 1 2020 tells how "a murder conviction has been thrown out because of racism on the part of the prosecutors."
"This may be the first case in the US where a murder conviction has been thrown out because of racism on the part of prosecutors," John Barter said.
Who is John Barter? He is the attorney for Frances Choy, an Asian American woman who (as a teenager) was accused of her parents murder nearly 17 years ago. Her mother and father died in "a terrible house fire" in April 2003.
Frances Choy was just 17 years old, but she was sentenced to "life without the possibility of parole" after a third trial for the crime in May 2011. The article states: "In a new motion obtained by PEOPLE however, Plymouth Superior Court judge said "Newly discovered evidence of racial bias established that justice may not have been done."
The story in the newspaper said the trial prosecutors "exchanged numerous images of Asian people - some accompanied by comment.They exchanged jokes about Asian people and "mocking caricatures of Asians using imperfect English."
In April this year Choy was released to home confinement.Then she was freed 'after spending 17 years of her life behind bars.' The District Attorney will not seek another trial in the case.
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