A black man named Duane Buck was convicted of murdering his ex-girlfriend and her friend in Texas in 1995. At the trial, a psychologist declared that “criminals are more likely to commit violence in the future than criminals of other races”, which is a pretty damn bold statement to make.

Needless to say, that statement enraged quite a few members of the black community and issues of racial bias were brought up in all six cases in which the psychologist in question had given testimonies.

All five of the other cases were reopened except Buck’s, and all five of the other defendants were re-sentenced to death anyway, as the psychologist’s testimony really was only a miniscule part of the prosecution’s evidence in each case.

Buck was literally on his way to execution on September 15, 2011 when the Supreme Court stepped in and stopped it, sending Buck back to his cell for a stay of execution (some would argue it’s almost more cruel to put a man through that than just killing him!).

His case is being reviewed and at this point a decision has not been reached, so Buck remains in his cell on death row awaiting the verdict.