Opinion ID: 547455
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Grand Jury Proceedings

Text: 9 During the two year-long grand jury proceeding, three grand jurors made remarks suggesting that they harbor racial prejudice against white people (such as the appellants). The Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) presenting the case to the grand jury failed to caution the jurors that such remarks were inappropriate and that racial prejudice could play no role in their determination of whether to return an indictment; one of the prosecutor's comments could even be interpreted as an endorsement of race prejudice. 10 The first exchange occurred after the jury learned that most of the people who, at the instance of Steven Madeoy, purchased properties, or in whose names properties were purchased, were black: 11 FIRST JUROR: But the money ended up in the white people's pocket.... 12 SECOND JUROR: As always. 13 FIRST JUROR: As always. 14 AUSA: That's correct. Are there any further questions? 15 The second exchange, which occurred two months later, involved the deputy foreperson and a black witness: 16 DEPUTY: You mean to say these people didn't look at this piece of property? 17 WITNESS: Half of them didn't know. No, they didn't.... 18 DEPUTY: I can't even believe that. 19 WITNESS: You'd be surprised what people will do for money. 20 DEPUTY: And you being black all your life and you know that the white man takes you any damn time he can and you don't look to see? 21 WITNESS: Miss, I'll tell you what--(GENERAL LAUGHTER) 22 The third incident took place a week after the second: 23 DEPUTY: I sympathize with you, but I have a question. They're going to get mad with me when I say this. 24 JUROR: You're probably right. 25 DEPUTY: You know, we've been--we were born black, you know. 26 WITNESS: Definitely. 27 DEPUTY: How could you have trusted them so?