In a groundbreaking development, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced on Tuesday that two death row inmates, Ernest Dykes and Keith Thomas, will be released from prison due to evidence of prosecutorial misconduct. This decision comes as part of an ongoing review of death penalty cases in Alameda County, which has been marred by allegations of racial and religious bias in jury selection.
Ernest Dykes, now 51 years old, was sentenced to death in 1995 for the killing of 9-year-old Lance Clark during a botched robbery. However, after a review of prosecutors’ notes in Dykes’ case file, U.S. District Judge Vincent Chhabria found “strong evidence” of systemic racism and antisemitism in the jury selection process. As a result, Dykes will be released from prison next year and placed on probation for two years.
Similarly, Keith Thomas, 51, who was convicted in 1998 for the rape and murder of Francia Young, will now be eligible for parole. Price’s office discovered signs of misconduct by the attorneys who prosecuted Thomas, leading to a reduction in his sentence to 23 years to life in prison. Having already served 31 years, Thomas will now have the opportunity for parole.
A third individual, Gregory Tate, will also be removed from death row and resentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Price clarified that her office did not admit any wrongdoing in Tate’s case, but additional factors influenced the decision. Tate had been sentenced to death for the 1988 murder of Sarah LaChappelle.
The review of death penalty cases in Alameda County is ongoing, with Price’s office identifying seven prosecutors whose cases have come under scrutiny. However, the process has been hindered by the absence of jury selection materials for 40 out of the 56 death penalty cases prosecuted by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office since 1978.
Price emphasized her commitment to upholding the law and holding individuals accountable for prosecutorial misconduct. She expressed her apologies to the families of the victims involved in these cases and vowed to address any uncovered misconduct.
This development marks a significant turning point in Alameda County’s justice system, as the impact of alleged misconduct and bias is felt on death row. The revelations have shaken the community and left numerous death penalty cases in limbo, raising questions about the fairness and integrity of the county’s legal proceedings.
