Federal Appeals Court Judge Said Blacks, Hispanics ‘Predisposed To Crime,’ Lawsuit Alleges

[one...two...tree 2,762]

A federal judge who, until recently, led what is arguably the nation’s most conservative federal appeals court said blacks and Hispanics are more prone to commit crimes, according to a lawsuit filed this week. Although the remarks by U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Judge Edith Jones were not recorded, five students and one attorney who attended a February event at the University of Pennsylvania law school signed affidavits attesting to what she said that day, the Associated Press reports.

Among her comments were that “racial groups like African-Americans and Hispanics are predisposed to crime,” are “prone to commit acts of violence,” and more likely than people of other ethnicities to be involved in “heinous” acts. She also said the death penalty provides a public service by allowing an inmate to “make peace with God,” citing an article called “Hanging Concentrates the Mind,” according to the Austin Chronicle. She said claims that the death penalty is discriminatory, imposed arbitrarily, and violate international law are just “red herrings” used by those who oppose the death penalty; that claims of “mental retardation” disgust her; and that Mexicans would prefer to be on death row in the United States than serving prison terms in other countries.

Jones, a Reagan appointee who was chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit until last October, is known for her hostile and discriminatory comments. She erupted at one of her fellow judges during oral argument in 2011, and told him to “shut up” while asking him to leave the courtroom. And she wrote a dissenting opinion claiming that a woman who “was repeatedly propositioned, was groped and grabbed, [had] pornography [] placed in her locker, and [had] other employees broadcast[] obscene comments about her over the company’s public address system” did not experience sexual harassment. Jones is also one of the most frequent attendees of junkets for judges, corporate-sponsored legal education getaways.

The lawsuit by several civil rights organizations alleges Jones’ comments amount to judicial misconduct, and is signed by nationally known legal ethicists. Ethicist James McCormack wrote in an affidavit accompanying the complaint:

I view this episode as a very sad and unfortunate chapter in the history of our federal judiciary. Most federal judges strive mightily to act fairly and impartially and to strengthen, rather than erode, public confidence in our system of justice. … Judge Jones’s conduct militates in the opposite direction. In my opinion, unless an appropriate disciplinary authority strongly disapproves of … Jones’s statements and properly addresses her flagrant misconduct, our judicial system – and our federal appellate courts in particular – will suffer the consequences of diminished public respect and confidence.

Jones’ alleged comments dismissing racism in the death penalty come while at least one death penalty case pending before her alleges that racially biased statements tainted the case. In fact, the complaint alleges that Jones made comments on several death penalty cases now pending before the court, in violation of legal ethics rules.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/06/05/2106061/federal-appeals-court-judge-said-blacks-hispanics-predisposed-to-crime-lawsuit-alleges/

Edited June 5, 2013 by Lincolns mullet

[justashooter 430]

FBI uniform crime statistics indicate that blacks are 16 times as likely to commit violent crime as whites, and latinos 18 times as likely.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

FBI uniform crime statistics indicate that blacks are 16 times as likely to commit violent crime as whites, and latinos 18 times as likely.

Your facts are racist and are a stereotype..

Wait did you say fact...

[RGinWA 816]

Well if you actually have that predisposed opinion as a judge it makes sense that you'd convict more minorities.

Secondly, it may have more to do with poverty than the numbers bare out.

Most people see a minority in handcuffs and assume that it's justified.

From the actions and outrage we've seen just having a biracial president, we can clearly see racism is alive and well in America...now that's been proven in 4 years.

[Karee 4,190]

having a biracial president, we can clearly see racism is alive and well in America..

Contradicting yourself there.

[GandD 5,966]

Secondly, it may have more to do with poverty than the numbers bare out.

For sure

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

FBI uniform crime statistics indicate that blacks are 16 times as likely to commit violent crime as whites, and latinos 18 times as likely.

More likely to commit, more likely to be caught, more likely to be prosecuted, or more likely to be convicted?

Also, citations are nice because it makes it look less likely that you pulled numbers out of your fundament. Which, by the way, can be ouchy depending on the number.

[Marilyn. 340]

i guess I better keep a close eye on my husband..

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Well if you actually have that predisposed opinion as a judge it makes sense that you'd convict more minorities.

Secondly, it may have more to do with poverty than the numbers bare out.

Most people see a minority in handcuffs and assume that it's justified.

From the actions and outrage we've seen just having a biracial president, we can clearly see racism is alive and well in America...now that's been proven in 4 years.

Poverty, social or whatever reason it's a fact so since stastics say TM was 18 times more likely to be breaking in a home than a young white kid, maybe GZ was onto something

So because America which is majority white elected a black President it proves we are racist ? Did someone drop you on your head.

I never assume anyone I see in cuffs is guilty. Cops have gotten a little out of hand lately.

[Darnell 8,478]

i guess I better keep a close eye on my husband..

Oh No ! Does he fit into a particular ethnic minority group?

[Marilyn. 340]

Oh No ! Does he fit into a particular ethnic minority group?

why else would I have made that statement? ..lol He is Hispanic..

I really am not worried about him predisposed to crime though

[decocker 7,198]

FBI uniform crime statistics indicate that blacks are 16 times as likely to commit violent crime as whites, and latinos 18 times as likely.

commit? or get caught and punished..?

Poverty, social or whatever reason it's a fact so since stastics say TM was 18 times more likely to be breaking in a home than a young white kid, maybe GZ was onto something

man oh man.

[RGinWA 816]

Poverty, social or whatever reason it's a fact so since stastics say TM was 18 times more likely to be breaking in a home than a young white kid, maybe GZ was onto something

So because America which is majority white elected a black President it proves we are racist ? Did someone drop you on your head.

I never assume anyone I see in cuffs is guilty. Cops have gotten a little out of hand lately.

My point is the fact we have a biracial President gave all the racist a license to let their positions to now be known...because of course we're now "hate free" in America, well just look at the Presidents skin. Look at a few TeaParty signs for evidence of that.

http://aattp.org/20-of-the-most-racist-teapublican-political-signs/

Racist comments have truly increased with this new found freedom...but most don't even see it as a racist statement, because they are just stating their "facts" right?

Maybe if I speak slower you'll get that next time. But I doubt you'll ever get what I'm saying and that's ok too.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

My point is the fact we have a biracial President gave all the racist a license to let their positions to now be known...because of course we're now "hate free" in America, well just look at the Presidents skin. Look at a few TeaParty signs for evidence of that.

http://aattp.org/20-of-the-most-racist-teapublican-political-signs/

Racist comments have truly increased with this new found freedom...but most don't even see it as a racist statement, because they are just stating their "facts" right?

Maybe if I speak slower you'll get that next time. But I doubt you'll ever get what I'm saying and that's ok too.

Let's see FBI crime stats are misleading but a few pictures of signs someone made, that have no real connection to the tea party prove Americans Racist. LOL Ok

D. You are Racist and hate anyone not like you.

[RGinWA 816]

Let's see FBI crime stats are misleading but a few pictures of signs someone made, that have no real connection to the tea party prove Americans Racist. LOL Ok

D. You are Racist and hate anyone not like you.

Like I said...you wouldn't get it.

But be happy with your certainty.

Your opinion is really typical and lacks critical thinking beyond simply FBI numbers. I still hold out hope for enlightenment...not for you per se, but for humans in general.