NO alla Pena di Morte
Campagna Internazionale -  Moratoria 2000

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A federal judge overturned a black inmate's death sentence because a psychologist told the jury during the punishment phase that the defendant's race could indicate a propensity for violence. The ruling Thursday made Carl Blue, 35, the fourth death row inmate whose sentence was overturned because of the testimony of Walter Quijano, former chief psychologist for the Texas prison system. Prosecutor William Turner said he will again seek the death penalty for Blue, who was convicted of dousing his former girlfriend with gasoline and setting her on fire in 1994. ``For the victim's family to go through all this again is just unfortunate,'' Turner said. Quijano testified for the defense during the sentencing phase of Blue's 1995 trial. The death sentence was overturned by U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt. Quijano, who is now in private practice, testified in scores of capital cases. He frequently testified that a defendant's race is one of the factors to be considered when determining whether the accused poses a risk to society. He said that is because blacks and Hispanics are overrepresented in violent crime statistics.  In addition to the four overturned death penalties, Quijano's testimony has been raised on appeal at least three other capital cases.