The Murder of Cherica Adams, and the involvement of former NFL star Rae Carruth raised several issues. The case the prosecutor made was that former NFL star Rae Carruth conspired with three accomplices to trap and shoot Cherica Adams because she was pregnant with Carruth’s child. .
One of the issues involved in this case is the question of equal justice for all races in America. This is known to be a long-standing problem. The figures show that, on the whole, more minorities are convicted than white people. The two sides are that minorities commit more crimes and that the entire justice system from the police to the parole boards is slated against minorities. The courts try to deliver justice in each and every case that comes before them, but in a situation where some of the inequality starts with education and legal employment problems it is difficult. I believe that this is a case where race had nothing to do with Rae Carruth’s ultimate conviction for conspiracy to commit murder.
I believe this because although there is conflicting evidence the majority of it points to Carruth’s guilt and participation in the conspiracy to murder Cherica Adams. Van Brett Watkins “told a jailer he shot Adams because he was mad at Carruth and because Adams made an obscene gesture at him from her car.”. Carruth’s family testified and spoke out of court about how, although he had no intention of marrying the mother, he welcomed and intended to support the child. As evidence of this, they point out how he helped select and paid for nursery furniture and other baby items. In this I see Watkins confession as being the stronger argument. It is much harder to believe he is innocent just because his mother says so.
On the other hand, from the 911 call to the fact that Carruth himself withdrew his denial and settled the civil case against him , everything points to his guilt. Cherica Adams, who lived for a month after the incident, “gave statements and wrote notes, saying that Carruth blocked her car, then left the scene,” . There are also conflicts as to how the crime was carried out. There were two other co-defendants involved. Their testimony was different from that of Watkins. “At the trial, one of his co-defendants testified that Carruth recruited him to be the driver and gave him $100 to buy a gun the day of the shooting. Another co-defendant said Carruth had planned the killing for months and gave him $5,000 for the attack.” .
In every case involving a minority defendant, it is a good policy to insure that no discrimination was involved at any point. The evidence is just too strong that, even in the 21st century discrimination is still present in our justice system. However, while it is obvious that must be an issue in some cases almost all the evidence in this case points to the defendants guilt.
In summary, racial discrimination exists in the American justice system. It is difficult to eliminate because some of it originates early on and is endemic among minorities because of their lack of educational and legal employment opportunities. That is not an issue in this case. Ray Carruth was not a poor inner city underprivileged youth, or one who from that start grew up to be a hardened criminal. He was a wealthy, educated athlete who could afford to finance the assignation of his pregnant girlfriend and his unborn child. From the 911 call to his refusal to deny his guilt in a civil court almost everything points to his guilt. That is why I believe Rae Carruth was convicted because he was guilty, not because he is black.
Works Cited
AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION - DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. "Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System." 09 2007. Asa Series on how Race and Ethnicity Mater. 09 07 2013 <http://www.asanet.org/images/press/docs/pdf/ASARaceCrime.pdf>.
Andrusko, Dave. "Rae Carruth Convicted in Murder of Pregnant Girlfriend." 2013. National League of Cities. 09 07 2013 <http://www.nrlc.org/news/2001/NRL02/carruth.html>.
Ertelt, Steven. "Suit Proceeds Against NFL Star Who Killed Pregnant Girlfriend." 13 09 2003. Catholic Exchange. 09 07 2013 <http://catholicexchange.com/suit-proceeds-against-nfl-star-who-killed-pregnant-girlfriend/>.
Fryer, Jenna. "Rae Carruth Goes on Trial for Murder." 20 11 2000. ABC News. 09 07 2013 <http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/story?id=100160&page=1#.Udw_HKyDn0Y>.
