Author of study of Georgia criminal justice system has died

Alyson Palmer at the Fulton Daily Report has noted the passing of David C. Baldus. Mr. Baldus authored a study in 1986 showing that, in 2,000 murder cases in Georgia in the 1970s, defendants accused of killing white victims were more than four times as likely than defendants accused of killing black victims.

That study figured prominently in McClesky v. Kemp, a 5-4 decision in favor of Mr. McClesky’s conviction and death sentence. Justice Powell later noted that his vote in that case was the one he wished he could change.

The New York times also reports his passing.