California Supreme Court Reverses Death Sentence

The United States — Supreme Court of California reversed the death sentence of Anthony Bankston>>>, a Los Angeles gang member, marking the first time a death sentence has been overturned under the 2020 Racial Justice Network. The reversal was due to a prosecutor's comparison of Anthony Bankston>>> to a 'Bengal tiger' during his 1991 trial, which the court deemed racially biased. Justice Leondra Kruger>>> wrote the majority opinion, stating that such animal comparisons should no longer be used in United States — California>>> courtrooms. While Anthony Bankston>>>'s death sentence was reversed, his murder conviction still stands, and his sentencing will be sent back to a trial court. This ruling was one of four decisions by the United States — Supreme Court of California this week related to the Racial Justice Network, though death sentences for Alex Demolle>>> and Marcos Esquivel Barrera>>> were upheld.