Pro Bono Member David Esquivel presented oral argument before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals on behalf of death row inmate Abu-Ali Abdur’Rahman, who was scheduled to receive the death penalty in early 2020. After evidence revealed his prosecution was marred by overt racial bias and misconduct, the Nashville District Attorney agreed to vacate his death sentence in exchange for a life sentence without parole. The Tennessee Attorney General’s office is attempting to challenge that settlement.
To read more about the case, click on the media coverage below:
- “Court Examines Resentencing Based on Claim of Racism,” Associated Press – featured in The New York Times (June 9, 2020)
- “Tennessee Death Penalty Case Raises Questions About Who Has The Power To Stop An Execution,” WPLN-Nashville Public Radio (June 9, 2020)
- “Allegations of Racism Revived Death Penalty Case, But Process Questions Dominate Appeal,” The Tennessean (June 9, 2020)