In 1995, Daune Buck shot his ex-girlfriend and her friend in front of his 14 and 11 year old children in Houston, Texas. He was convicted and sentenced to death by the state of Texas, but his lawyers saw a problem with the sentencing. During the trial, a question was raised regarding Buck's race, which is African-American. Two appeals came before the court saying that the decision was based on race and a doctor spoke about how black people are more likely to be violent than other races. One of the appeals was granted. One of Buck's lawyers stated that a case involving someone's life should not be based on race. The state of Texas has deemed his trial unfair and it is one of the four death sentences to be halted by the state.
This case very clearly defines the importance of equal protection. Without equal protection, corrupt judges could be placing harsher sentences on minorities. Duane Buck feels his Constitutional rights have been ignored and he and his lawyers feel he is receiving the death sentence by lethal injection only because he is African-American. This means he is not being tried fairly because he thinks people of other races would get a less harsh sentence, such as life in prison, and does not want his rights to be ignored.
Although many people can see how Buck's sentencing could be a result of his race being discussed in court, some people see thing differently. People suggest that Buck is being put to death because he is a murderer, and feel the decision has nothing to do with his race.
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