An Unconstitutional Jim Crow Jury Sent Him to Prison for Life. A New Law Aims to Keep Him There.

Published: Monday, August 25, 2025 at 9:00 am

Louisiana Man Faces Continued Imprisonment Despite Supreme Court Ruling on Unanimous Juries

A Louisiana man, Lloyd Gray, faces continued imprisonment after being convicted by a split jury in 1980, despite a 2020 Supreme Court ruling declaring such verdicts unconstitutional. Gray, who has maintained his innocence for 45 years, was sentenced to life in prison for rape. The Supreme Court's decision, which stemmed from a case in Louisiana, aimed to address the historical use of non-unanimous juries, often referred to as "Jim Crow juries," which were implemented to diminish the influence of Black jurors.

While the Supreme Court's ruling prohibited the use of split juries going forward, it left the decision on how to handle existing cases to individual states. Louisiana has chosen not to apply the ruling retroactively, leaving over 1,000 individuals, primarily Black men, still incarcerated due to split-jury convictions.

A recent state law, championed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry, has further complicated matters by limiting prosecutors' ability to offer plea deals that could lead to the release of those convicted by split juries. This law effectively closed off the last remaining avenue for Gray and others to seek freedom.

Gray's case is further complicated by evidence of racial bias. His attorneys discovered that the two jurors who voted to acquit him were Black, a fact not recorded in the original court documents. Additionally, a swastika was found on the case file. Despite these developments, the district attorney's office, citing the new state law, has stated it can no longer waive deadlines, potentially ensuring Gray remains incarcerated.

BNN's Perspective: The situation in Louisiana highlights the complex interplay of legal precedent, political maneuvering, and historical injustices. While the Supreme Court sought to rectify a discriminatory practice, the state's actions have effectively perpetuated the consequences of that practice, leaving many individuals, like Lloyd Gray, to continue serving sentences based on potentially flawed convictions. This case underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach to criminal justice reform that addresses the systemic issues of the past.

Keywords: Lloyd Gray, split jury, non-unanimous verdict, Louisiana, Supreme Court, Jim Crow juries, racial bias, Jeff Landry, Angola, criminal justice reform, Ramos v. Louisiana, Sixth Amendment, retroactivity, plea deal, swastika, wrongful conviction.

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