Mark’s first trial was not typical. In his early 20s, he found himself in Orange, Texas. This sundown town was known for its hostility toward Black residents. Mark defended an 18-year-old charged with assaulting a police officer during a house party raid. The charge carried a possible sentence of 99 years.
During jury selection, Mark confronted the racial bias directly, asking potential jurors if they had ever used the N-word and requiring them to explain their answers in court. Nearly half the panel was removed. The result was the fastest not-guilty verdict in Orange County history. It was an unusual and defining start to a career in law.
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Episode 5: Mark’s First Trial: 99 Years to Not Guilty
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