Execution in Texas granted temporary reprieve

An execution slated for Thursday was temporarily put on hold amid Supreme Court review. Lawyers of Duane Buck, a black man who was convicted of a double murder 16 years ago, claim that race played an improper role in Buck’s sentencing. Buck’s guilt is not being called into question. At the time of the original case, a psychologist’s testimony stated that black people were more likely to commit violence. Buck’s lawyers claim that testimony unfairly influenced the jury, and that Buck should receive a new sentence hearing.

If the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Buck’s lawyers, his death sentence would be commuted to life in prison.