There is a case in California that is one of the first to test the Racial Justice Act that was previously introduced in California to address criminal justice reform, racial discrimination, and racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
For one Pittsburg man he is allegedly hoping that the new Racial Justice Act will mean a few trial after his rap lyrics had been used to convict him previously several years ago of a murder. There are countless songs with criminal references that have made their ways onto one record or another, but should music lyrics be taken literally? Attorneys recently argued that his rap lyrics being used in the trial were racially biased and for that reason he should be afforded a new trial under the Racial Justice Act in the state.
There are some previous attempts to employ that newly passed legislation though have been shot down in the past. For this case though they say that they only want a new and fair trial that is without racial bias or prejudice that might have come from using those rap lyrics in the proceedings. Will the Racial Justice Act be grounds for granting a new trial? And how many others might seek to do the same?
It isn't decided yet if there is going to be a new trial.