Tomorrow you’ll have a chance to weigh in on whether or not the state should require unanimous jury verdicts in felony cases, amendment two on the ballot. The option passed the House 84 to 15 and has received widespread bi-partisan support behind a message that former District Attorney Ed Tarpley says is clear.
Supporters like Tarpley say the law is racist in nature and has a disproportionate effect on minority defendants who lose the ability to have a jury of their peers, but Livingston, Tanigpahoa and Helena DA Scott Perrilloux says that’s not true, and that a 1972 court case settled the issue.
Apodaca vs. Oregon went 4-1-4 and required federal courts to use unanimous juries, but not state courts.
Voters head to the polls tomorrow, but the campaigns for the only statewide race on the ballot have not had the visibility to voters. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) ”I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
And despite tough times in Tiger Stadium, the Dome was rockin as the Saints jump to the number one seed in the NFC after defeating the previously unbeaten LA Rams. The win means the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC currently runs through NOLA, QB Drew Brees.