Comment Section for Opinion | An ‘Utterly Bonkers’ Miscarriage of Justice in Texas - The New York Times

This New York Times opinion piece by David French delves into what he labels as a miscarriage of justice in Texas involving Erma Wilson, a Black woman who was convicted for a nonviolent drug offense. French highlights the egregious violation of her rights when her prosecutor, Weldon "Ralph" Petty Jr., also worked as a clerk for the judge during her trial. Despite the clear violation of her rights, Wilson lost her appeal for damages due to a court-made rule stating that she can't receive damages until her conviction has been set aside, expunged, or otherwise favorably terminated. French criticizes the Supreme Court's long history of jurisprudence that has undermined Section 1983, which was intended to grant citizens the right to compensation when state officials violate their rights. The article also provides an update on Marcellus Williams, a Missouri man on death row who was executed despite substantial doubts about the evidence supporting his conviction. French also comments on the state of the Republican party in light of the candidacy of Mark Robinson for governor in North Carolina. Robinson had allegedly posted controversial messages online, but he remains in the race, reflecting a shift in the party's composition. French concludes by discussing the MAGA movement's proclivity for sharing conspiracy theories and misinformation, often to trigger outrage.