Conservative Win Case To Deny Felony Voting

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a state can prohibit felons from voting even if the ban disproportionately harms minorities, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday in a Washington state case that supports a similar law in California. A six-judge majority noted that other appeals courts have concluded that federal civil rights laws do not apply to a state's disqualification of felons from voting.



The Pacific Legal Foundation, a non profit law firm based in Sacramento, California filed arguments in the case supporting the voting disenfranchisement of felons in the state of Washington. It is described as the oldest conservative law firm in the United States and it’s staff was originally composed mainly of individuals who had been a part of then-Governor Ronald Reagan’s welfare reform team.

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Mississippi Death Row - The Frederick Bell Story

In May 1991, 19-year-old Bell was charged for the robbery and murder of store clerk Bert Bell (no relation). He was tried, convicted and sentenced to death in 1993, largely because his trial attorneys failed to even investigate the case or conduct DNA testing beforehand.

Since 1993, Bell has sat caged in a prison cell on Mississippi's death row, denied access to the courts, despite newly discovered evidence that strongly suggests he is completely innocent in this case. Tonight we are joined by Frederick Bell's sister Tonja and Carol Leonard of Prison Reform Movement. They will share her Mr. Bell's story with you our listening audience.