Judge allows new evidence request in Monache man's conviction challenge
Defense team for Douglas Ray Stankewitz seeks records under California's Racial Justice Act
A Fresno County Superior Court judge ruled May 29 that attorneys for Douglas Ray Stankewitz, a Monache man serving a life sentence for a 1978 murder conviction, may seek additional evidence under California's Racial Justice Act, according to reporting from ICT. Judge Alvin Harrell III granted the request and scheduled a hearing for Aug. 14. Stankewitz has maintained his innocence for decades and argued that racial bias against Indigenous people contributed to his arrest, prosecution and conviction.
Stankewitz's attorneys are seeking records they believe could help evaluate claims of racial disparities in murder convictions in Fresno County and determine why the only Native American juror candidate in his 1983 retrial was dismissed. During the May 29 hearing, the defense presented evidence it said demonstrated a history of racial bias in the community. The ruling allows the defense to pursue additional information as the case moves forward.
- 1.Richard Arlin Walker. ICT, .
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