How a racist law sent a U.S. man to jail | Fault Lines Documentary

In 1997, Brandon Jackson was convicted of armed robbery in Louisiana in the United States.
At his trial, two jurors voted not guilty. In 48 out of 50 states Jackson would have had the right to a retrial, but not in Louisiana.
The law dates back to the Jim Crow era. In 1898, as white politicians across the US passed laws to restrict African Americans’ newfound civil rights, Louisiana implemented non-unanimous jury convictions to diminish the influence of Black jurors. If there were two or three Black people on a jury, their votes would not matter.
Louisiana banned the practice in 2018, and the US Supreme Court ruled they were unconstitutional two years later. Yet today there are at least 1,500 people in prisons across the state who were convicted by juries that could not agree on their guilt. Eighty percent are Black - like Jackson.
Fault Lines partnered with The Lens in New Orleans to investigate the history of this racist law and the path forward for people like Jackson.
#Documentary #Racism #Lawsuit

[@biancang333]

"Listen, I grew up in the south my whole life and..." is equivelent to "I'm not racist but...". You about to hear something racist

[@dafien530]

I'm not racist... but my best friend/brother is black.. and after 25 years of friendship/brotherhood we still tell each other racist jokes. I'm of the mind, if you don't feel conformable telling a racist joke to room full of black people, then maybe you shouldn't

[@blkhistorydecoded]

During the time of Slavery in the South, Northerners had a VERY NASTY ATTITUDE towards Black people and the South. These are the same people who voted for the Republicans because they wanted the Western territories to be ALL WHITE and ALL FREE. They were the real RACIST BIGOTED SOCIETY. After the Civil War they flooded the South, kicked Black people out of power and then FORCED the Southerners to SEPARATE BY LAW.

[@kekejohnson687]

@@dafien530 my friend you see the temperature of the co country.when talking about certain things being black or white we have to start off by saying I'm not a racist the way you act determines that people may ask me how I been dealing with it for so long I can spot a racist threw his or her first couple of words in some cases where I'm from you can look at them and tell I'm a strong believer that your first conscious thought is usually try when you start second guessing it confuses your situation

[@dafien530]

@@kekejohnson687 DaFaQ you sayin? Bit lost there guy. I'm NOT without HATE.. I hate multiculturalism that is FORCED by the state! In the USA there is only ONE culture that is AMERICAN culture. I am Native American, my people are some of the first here. "our Native American" culture is is embedded into American culture..

[@damedash3188]

I said the same exact thing especially when she made that face 😬😬

[@kohouwd]

"He was confident.." yes Karen, innocent people usually are confident smh

[@Scorch428]

they also get angry. anger is a huge sign of innocence. When your guilty, you dont get angry because you know theyre right. guilty ppl are stuck in denial, repeating they didnt do it. Innocent ppl get angry and try to figure out who did it and what happened.

[@c.a.g.3130]

Nothing scarier than the person who says, "I could see it in his EYES!"

[@brittanydiane214]

I hate that the reporter didn’t push her on that BS. What does the south have to do with anything??? Lol I hope that woman looks back at this and sees how ugly she looks!

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

@@Scorch428 Thank you for saying that!!! I can't imagine what that feels like, being found "guilty" when you' know you didn't do it. I would get mad too.

[@dawoodwaris]

I felt DISGUSTED listening to Juror Stacey Marks remarks about Brandon, proper narcissistic. Can't believe incompetent people like her sitting in a position as a judge. Time to review all the judgements that she made on her career. She should do a public apology or should be put in jail.

[@8604shubi]

The juror thought Brandon was overconfident, so she was convinced he was guilty....🤦🤦🤦

[@BigReddthehebrew]

RIGHT!!! But I bet she thinks Chauvin was rail roaded SMH!!!!!!!

[@Scorch428]

Thats the problem. You can tell a jury to base their decision on evidence, but in the end, theyre going to go with their gut. And youre not supposed to do that. You CAN vote Not Guilty and still think he "probably did it". Beyond a Reasonable Doubt equates roughly to 95% sure. Not 51%. Not 85%. When you serve on a jury, you should walk in thinking this man before you is innocent. Prove to me that he did it. Too often jurors walk in with the complete opposite attitude.

[@brittanydiane214]

And that she was born and raised in the south… not sure if that was a conviction for her or the innocent person in prison. Smh

[@darrickmalloy6909]

Yep never mind that they had no physical evidence connecting him to the crime. She is just gonna use her years of growing up in a hateful home hateful neighborhood with hateful friends and family in a hateful state complete with hateful laws and im gonna use all of that to judge this man fairly.😞

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

That was the STUPIDEST SCHITT that I ever heard in my life!!! SMDH

[@thekaerichtexas]

So sad that this happens every single day. Black ppl get railroaded in the justice system weather they are guilty or not, longer harsher sentences, pressure to plead guilty, higher bail amounts, its just a sick twisted system

[@Detox52]

If they retroact, they know compensation for him and embarrassment for them subsequently follow. They ain't about that life.

[@Adrian-zd4cs]

Yikes. Life sentence for this man but pedophiles are released. I just can't.

[@ana-OM]

To the investigative reporters and crew that take us along to witness Brandon Jackson stolen freedom since 1997. Thank You for Your work ! I am reading the comments below. And thanks to them, I kind of can share the sheer painful mind blowing effect while watching the cruelty. The rotten system's heritage, pass on from one generation to the next.

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

Facts

[@berserko2008]

This country was founded by racists....... what more is there to expect, why do people act surprised when it ain't no surprise..???🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@ana-OM]

@@berserko2008 You are correct. There is no surprise here.

[@sstsaldana24]

That's a sad story. All citizens of Louisiana should stand up and get these guys a retrial. Non unanimous jury convictions should be looked at. Im from texas and This why i dont like to visit Louisiana. I feel like they are a prison state.

[@BRDYBRDY-bi1xd]

"There were just a multitude of things that convinced me of his guilt". Ok.... Well he was overconfident , he was giving eye contact. Now that is just crazy to think in a country like the usa priding itself on reason and facts this is going on. And when did a non violent crime become a 40 year sentence.

[@darrickmalloy6909]

In some states you can go home after 25 years for killing someone. Trust me these laws stem from white supremacy.😞and white supremacy stems from greed and a lie.

[@Calmchoasa]

Reason and facts, lol.

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

Facts!!!

[@luakipolez8125]

So heartbreaking and infuriating. We are so sick and tired of this demonic system and these satanic souls operating it!!!

[@janedoe1229]

Vote the f..ong out of office.

[@ana-OM]

Luaki, I share with You the broken heart and the furious feeling, so I don't feel alone over here, having to get SICK and tired of the system and their operating people, like You well said. Though I live far away in Germany,the twisted system, the cruel injustice, and the no ending suffering that goes along, effects people no matter where. 1997 Brandon Jackson's freedom was stolen. Imagine what all is taken from him. Hugs to You dear Luaki

[@preciousprecious6859]

They don’t care bcz it doesn’t affect them , wait until it hits home 😒they will know how it feels like to lose so many years of your life in prison for something you didn’t do

[@alisonmadden6522]

The court saying it shouldn’t be retro is such bullshit

[@michel3691]

How do you get life for armed robbery, but miniscule sentences for crimes such as rape or child abuse?

[@stopdeforestation]

Proven ch!ld abus3rs should either have the ovar!es or p3nis removed, depending on which gender perpetrates it. IMO.

[@marisabeltran3084]

What about that kid who was drunk driving and killed 4 people and didn't go to jail because he was so rich he didn't know right from wrong... it all about money... money keeps you above the law.

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

You get arrested for the armed robbery and convicted for all your past convictions included. Thats how the "How can you get a life for being arrested for a quarter of weed".

[@b0borden437]

What purpose does it serve to keep this man locked up? He is clearly not a threat to society.

[@creatorofgods1668]

When 10 different jurors say he is guilty. It is most likely that the evidence displayed he was at fault. Most individuals would just, “It is just armed robbery; he didn’t kill anyone.”

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

This is so messed up!!! I can't imagine what's going on his mind after all of these years in prison. I bet he has seen and experienced all kinds of things behind the wall. There are numerous of others in prison just like him. The sad part is that everybody thinks that all inmates are guilty. I hope he gets out real soon!!!

[@Victorious19244]

He was granted parole. I legit cried for him and his mother hugging

[@kimcesc3475]

overconfidence is not a sign of guilt...Jim crow prevailed.

[@albertstephen2426]

It is not over confidence! It simply not bowing down, believing in your humanity and daring to look racists in the eye.

[@ana-OM]

@@albertstephen2426 my eyes lay on Your words. I reed them over and over.

[@albertstephen2426]

@@ana-OM For hundreds of years they have have lynched black men for "looking" them in the eye and for "looking" at white women. It has not been about the "looking" but about having the perceived audacity to know we are born free and to not bow down. This is the biggest fear of racists, that Black People will not bow and "comply", thus their consistent response is to resort to violence and murder. Black Americans have to arm themselves to the teeth and be willing to take any and all actions to protect themselves from those who will take any and all actions to subjugate them.

[@originalbabygeestak9819]

"he was overconfident making a lot of eye contact" what she wanted to say was "ummm he did it because he's black"

[@fooo2241]

13:19 white woman decides to vote to convict because the black accused man smiled at her.

[@managermr741]

I am pretty sure she felt like he "eye raped" her. White folks scare easily when they see a big black man or a little black boy.

[@lindarogers4248]

Emmett Till.

[@Andyagbley]

So sad, u got a man convicted because of the way he looks at you. Like seriously? woow America smh.

[@lemur22715]

Emmett Till allegedly looked at a white woman

[@marisabeltran3084]

Sounds like something the Honey Boo Boo would have said "he looked at me funny, that's wa-a-said guilty".

[@charlespetite3347]

Most of the people they do this to are those who can't afford proper representation, and thats a lot, if anybody have information to a lawyer or someone who know how to get a case hearing for someone who need help the info would be a blessing.

[@dawoodwaris]

I felt DISGUSTED listening to Juror Stacey Marks remarks about Brandon, proper narcissistic. Can't believe incompetent people like her sitting in a position as a judge. Time to review all the judgements that she made on her career. She should do a public apology or should be put in jail.

[@fredrichy1]

The system works the way it is intended to work.

[@melbonejosiah4827]

He made eye contact, some bull out of the slavery playbook!

[@basmalasaad3039]

It's unbelievable she says that so assuredly- watch when someone imprisons her white son for "making eye contact", it wouldnt be the same then, would it🤔

[@DiandraStarShine]

well, after all, he had the nerve to be "uppity" because how DARE a black man look a white person in the eye..she couldn't have recognized dignity in a black man to save her own life. easy to see she's just a hateful, racist *little b.* it's disgusting, how racist 'our' nation still is. the *Innocence Project* needs to rally a special team to help ALL of the prisoners in those circumstances get free. I mean, they decided to NOT make that new law "retroactive??" its obscene, truly grotesque & it's attempted genocide, *period.*

[@g7721]

@@basmalasaad3039 yeah we get it.....you're a bigot. you have preconceived negative thoughts about white people. You do not need to prove it

[@blkhistorydecoded]

Well under Slavery, the Slave Master would come to the defense of the Slave because that's his property. Most likely he wouldn't have been put in prison under the Slave system.

[@DiandraStarShine]

​@@blkhistorydecoded no, that wasn't how it worked. he'd have been hung, the master would have had one less slave, in most cases. no way they'd let a black slave get away with such a 'crime' against a white person.

[@mkenyamzalendo4130]

This hurts so bad😭😢

[@danieltheperson]

Yeah there is a lot of rascim in the usa unfortuntlay

[@grimeyIRF]

This entire piece is trash. The trial was trash and the people involved were only concerned with themselves.

[@matthewstewart5113]

People are the product. Watch out for the algorithm, They'll feed you what they want you to believe.

[@jonahfaulkner1211]

"I don't think they weren't heard.. I just didn't listen and don't remember what they said was their reasoning. I don't think they weren't heard though."

[@MR.JOSHUA223]

I've been on juries and the instructions were consistently verbally beat into us to convict or vote innocent only on the facts of the case. Not on what you feel, or think.

[@philipwhatley6742]

As an older family member from one of the most racist states in the confederacy (Virginia) once said that if you are black in South and get pulled into the system as an innocent person... Never expect justice to prevail

[@NewAmeicanSpirit]

I just watched this, thankful for the team that brought this out! This lady, OMG, she doesn't even know how racist she actually is! This is shameful! They should all be ashamed and the supreme court wouldn't make it retroactive! This is disgusting that 1500 people in prison for this kind of blatant racism, where is all the outcry!? BLM? WTF?

[@Bunny-qm9ns]

Where can I get updates on Brandon ?

[@elali4855]

She thinks he was guilty because he was over confident 😢ooh my was it a job interview…wrong is so many ways.

[@Victorious19244]

He was granted parole thank God

[@anazamora6927]

She was raised in the South.... that's all you need to know.

[@NewYorkCity1718]

Back then a lot of people got sentenced to a lot of years for pretty much any crime because it was a business to make money. They still do the same today but back then they didn’t hide it. Judge would throw the book at someone for anything because jails than would turn around and donate to their party campaign !!

[@doreenjackson9706]

Most high God we thank you🙏.

[@texas1977]

February 2022 : Brandon Jackson reunites with his mother Mollie Peoples outside the David Wade Correctional Center after more than 25 years behind bars [Henrietta Wildsmith/Shreveport Times]

[@mrhoque4262]

She felt guilt about condemning a man to a cell for life

[@villagelightsmith4375]

Brandon Jackson's incarceration is cruel and unusual treatment. It is not even "punishment," for there is reasonable and overwhelming doubt that he was even involved in this crime.

[@wmmillet8374]

Thank you for keeping some light on the Inhumane nonjustice system of the United States of Amerikkk!!!

[@RagzDancehallandTing]

America, land of the Free!

[@londo776]

Qatar is a de facto absolute monarchy with the Emir of Qatar as head of state and head of government. Under the 2003 constitutional referendum it should be a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature, although elections have been consistently pushed back since 2013. Sharia law is a main source of Qatari legislation.

[@jnighs8380]

@@londo776it's free if your rich

[@blkhistorydecoded]

Once Black people became FREE, they had a whole host of problems. Way worse than Slavery. Under Slavery, if anything happened to the Slave, the Slave Owner would come to their defense because that is their property. Once FREE, Black people did not have that protection anymore. So it was much easier to marginalize them.

[@aneezabilal4503]

My God, the way people mistrust confidence in those they uphold systems of oppression against - of course, black people, women, trans people should not be sure of themselves and smiling in a world that's not for them. Of freaking course.

[@BigReddthehebrew]

this has nothing to do with trans..........

[@danieltheperson]

There is so much opression against mintories in the usa

[@Beautiful24511]

Im not suprised the person who voted him guilty is white ...n what makes me more disturbed and curious is she was always acting so shifty n flinching all the time when the lady interviewer is asking her questions on why she voted Brandon guilty! ........ I pray for Brandon to be free so he can be with his family again... Justice for Brandon.... 🙏🙏🙏

[@mansaali]

Aljazeera bringing down the racist U.S

[@danieltheperson]

The usa is really rascit

[@fahadmalik8862]

Qatar is racist.

[@danieltheperson]

@@fahadmalik8862 so is the usa

[@marcusshark3974]

No reckless eyeballing 👀 sad

[@bangingbeatz6484]

2:37 point first commercial and im gone..... feel for this guy though ... hope he gets out ❤

[@luizprado1077]

What a shame to Louisianna Justice system and to the US Supreme Court!

[@peterpiper5098]

Thats all you got to say?? Yall going straight into captivity real soon

[@londo776]

@@peterpiper5098 Qatar is a de facto absolute monarchy with the Emir of Qatar as head of state and head of government. Under the 2003 constitutional referendum it should be a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature, although elections have been consistently pushed back since 2013. Sharia law is a main source of Qatari legislation.

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

If Louisianna had a Kim Foxx, this wouldn't be a problem.

[@juliogonzalez6555]

Wow!

[@faisaldien]

The system failed them, us all. :(

[@tonysands1276]

Can you people say " alibi "? Not a word from the prisoner, not from the reporter, not in the comments above about his alibi.

[@eddiebyrd3282]

This documentary makes me ashamed to say that I am from Louisiana.

[@crystalharris7394]

😭😭😭💔🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🕯

[@bobolson5615]

Read Texas Tough. We are not fair.

[@basmalasaad3039]

What's it about?

[@TheDenizxo]

Update ?

[@c.a.g.3130]

Remedies without relief are the hallmark of judicial "justice." It's bad enough that it's outrageous, but worse that it's common. Few judicial disgraces exist as blatant as the "remedy" put forth by SCOTUS in U.S. v. Booker/Fanfan [543 U.S. 220 (2005)] acknowledging that hundreds of thousands of individuals were denied a constitutional right to trial but allowed to remain in jail under that deprivation simply because the court knew it would result in widespread "inconvenience" for courts to have to manage such a flood of petitions. So, they simply blew it off. Courts frequently rule, not to save the rights of the aggrieved or the constitution itself, but to save expedient "administration of justice." The priority is to keep the wheels turning smoothly.

[@Beautiful24511]

God bless brandons mother a million times, please God I pray🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏that beautiful mother stays strong n keeps well n I hope n pray Brandon be free soon...so he can be with his momma soon 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@imiss2pac427]

Sound about white

[@sophyaworldcom]

This is T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E … how can this be that they decide to change the law because it wasn’t fair but close their 👁 to unfair event that was done before that !?? Where is the justice ?

[@davidzumpe3239]

What a cruel state, surely it's cruel and unusual punishment.

[@joshuad7953]

Cruel State? This is America not just one state. Let me put this into perspective. There are now more blacks in prison then slaves at any point in US history. It’s no accident, it is by design. It’s what our criminal justice system was intended to do, when this country targeted blacks with its war on drugs policies while simultaneously pushing crack into black communities to pay for illegal wars in Central America

[@calvinadams1689]

I don't go south for NOTHING, and Louisiana.!!!!!

[@heruthemaster]

louisiana ....smh.............

[@Scorch428]

The whole jury system in America needs reworked. Look at all the idiots today. Would you trust them judging your life?? Ever serve on a jury? Half the people are so dumb, you wonder how they even function. Juries should be made up of 5 lawyers/judges, not civilians who dont know the law. Most jurors base guilt/innocence on how heinous the crime was, even tho theyre completely unrelated.

[@Scorch428]

And if a conviction is ever overturned with new DNA or otherwise solid evidence, everyone on that jury who voted guilty should never be allowed on a jury again. MINIMUM.

[@abes3925]

Why don’t his siblings visit him in prison

[@lewisharrell8558]

What a travesty!

[@jacqueline755]

Talking on phone while driving??????

[@otisthestoic8725]

Brandon is my cousin

[@billyhigginbotham5721]

Oh man she makes me angry racist woman!! He was confident in his innocence, and truth. She took it as being arrogant!! She had him guilty before they got to the jury room. LET that Man OUT!!!! LET HIM OUT! IN JESUS NAME

[@thai9503]

No he was guilty.

[@reinholdapollus7000]

Land of the Free?????

[@peterpiper5098]

We are the true hebrews suffering from the curses DUETOROMNY ch 28

[@LexlutherVII]

Turn to Islam ☪️ brother there's only one religion and one God follow the right ✅ path and get your rewards in Heaven!💗

[@peterpiper5098]

@@LexlutherVII Islam is of satan. Depart from me and never return!

[@LexlutherVII]

@@peterpiper5098 why do you think so brother? What made you hate a Fact??😑

[@peterpiper5098]

@@LexlutherVII its not a fact. The Quran teaches us that the real sons of god are the Hebrew Israelites. The hebrew Israelites book is what is referred to today as the bible. Hebrews wrote that book. Not caucasians

[@LexlutherVII]

@@peterpiper5098 islam ☪️Is for everyone islam is the only religion in universe ✨ that says everyone is equal black white red yellow etc so brother for your own sake try to study 📖 the real and only religion that is the key 🔑 to Paradise and safety!😑🙏💗

[@terellallen6882]

IT'S A WHITE MAN WORLD BLESS WONDERFUL DOCUMENTARY

[@sher3571]

THE WORLD IS WATCHING

[@sher3571]

THEY Being Punished Right NOW

[@sisterselah5075]

Dueteronomy 28

[@PastorVicenteOficial]

Hello everyone!!! Have a great week

[@boxgaming281]

Amerikkka for you

[@sallieceelee5660]

Louisiana Justice system is "awesome"...

[@advsmbacha]

AOA

[@andrehooker3229]

Trying to help someone who didn't commit a crime, by commiting a crime talking on the phone and driving.. They may bring that up pretty lady 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@darrickmalloy6909]

Why are we still fighting old battles that are wrong to the majority. Thats time and resources we could have used to move this country and its people forward😞

[@ahmeddeqmohamed3839]

You are stupid to comment so.shame on you.

[@tjmarx]

The reason the court didn't make the ruling retroactive is because the amount of prisoners it would automatically release, people who then would not only have a right to sue the city/state but also who have been prison institutionalised would bankrupt the state and throw society into chaos. It's not a race issue, it's more poor reasoning.

[@tonneyibe4098]

That's easy for you to say. It's more a race issue than anything else.

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

@@tonneyibe4098 it took them years just to find a case like this, thats how rare they are. Meanwhile the hourly blk on blk crimes go ignored.

[@joshuad7953]

So how many poor whites are in jail compared to poor blacks if it’s not a race thing? You realize at this moment the same country who prides itself for ending slavery 150 years ago, now holds more blacks in prison then slaves at any point in US history. How is race not looked at as a factor?

[@ricky5742]

@@Pepe-dq2ibyou racist amphibians never quit

[@bobbyalexander1860]

2:52 she must be Swedish with that blonde hair

[@followerofjulian1652]

Of course in Qatar he would have been boiled in oil and served up for dinner! 🤣🤣🤣

[@rVnikov]

Sad violins as a musical background. "X said he was innocent". LOL

[@TheFungusundies]

Hit piece

[@Roosu_99]

boycott Al Jazeera

[@Boviss1Bovis]

Dont watch if you dont like it.

[@Roosu_99]

@@Boviss1Bovis boycott Al Jazeera

[@Boviss1Bovis]

@@Roosu_99 Why?

[@Roosu_99]

@@Boviss1Bovis boycott Al Jazeera

[@marisabeltran3084]

@@Boviss1Bovis he was probably on the show portraited as the evil person he is.😅

[@thai9503]

Don't be criminal, that's all i got to say.

[@TokenBlackman7]

Does this aphorism apply to corporate criminals, too?

[@managermr741]

You forgot to add... and be a privileged White male or female.

[@appiahallan]

You never know what people have been through

[@thai9503]

@@appiahallan you have always a choice. Never be a criminal and if you try to talk it right you should be locked up as one! High max facilities enough for life

[@londo776]

Just your usual anti Western/European bias. from the mouthpiece of the Qatar government. Which is a "democracy" of course. The political system of Qatar is a de facto absolute monarchy with the Emir of Qatar as head of state and head of government. Under the 2003 constitutional referendum it should be a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature, although elections have been consistently pushed back since 2013. Sharia law is a main source of Qatari legislation.

[@marcusyoung2081]

So, eye contact equals guilt? Got it!! 🫤