A split jury and a lie sent him to prison. Now he’s working to change Louisiana’s law
Context:
Bobby Gumpright, struggling with addiction, falsely accused Jermaine Hudson of robbery in 1999, leading to Hudson's wrongful conviction by a split jury, a practice now deemed unconstitutional. Hudson served 22 years in prison, missing critical family milestones, while Gumpright lived with guilt until he confessed in 2021, leading to Hudson's release. Now, both advocate for legislation in Louisiana to allow retrials for those convicted by split juries, highlighting the racial injustices tied to such convictions. Despite initial legislative challenges, the duo's efforts have gained traction, with recent support for a bill enabling these retrials. Hudson, who has forgiven Gumpright, and Gumpright, now sober and an addiction counselor, have formed a close bond, united in their mission for justice reform and personal healing.
Dive Deeper:
Bobby Gumpright, then an 18-year-old battling addiction, falsely claimed he was robbed by Jermaine Hudson, leading to Hudson's wrongful conviction and a 99-year sentence based on a non-unanimous jury verdict, a practice rooted in racial discrimination.
Jermaine Hudson spent 22 years in prison, missing significant life events, while Louisiana's legal system initially failed to retroactively address split jury convictions despite a Supreme Court ruling deeming them unconstitutional.
In 2021, as Hudson prepared to accept a plea deal, Gumpright confessed to his lies, leading to Hudson's release; this marked a turning point in both their lives, prompting them to advocate for legislative change together.
The duo's advocacy aims to pass a bill granting retrials to those convicted by split juries, emphasizing the ongoing racial injustices and the need for the legal system to rectify past wrongs, despite previous legislative setbacks.
Hudson and Gumpright have developed a strong friendship, with Hudson forgiving Gumpright, and both supporting each other in their personal and public endeavors, demonstrating the power of reconciliation and shared purpose in addressing systemic injustices.