National Bar Association - the largest minority bar Challenges 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Edith Jones reveals racist bias against blacks and latinos -

For Immediate Release Contact: Erika C. Owens 202-842-3900

NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION AFFILIATE CHALLENGES 5th CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE EDITH JONES (WASHINGTON, DC June 7, 2013) - The National Bar Association's (NBA) affiliate chapter, J.L. Turner Legal Association under the leadership of its President Mandisa Price, has filed a complaint against   5th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Edith Jones. J.L. Turner is challenging the jurist's remarks given at The Federalist Society at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Law in February. In her speech, Judge Jones expressed her thoughts as it relates to race, crime and the death penalty. Judge Jones stated that "racial groups like African-Americans and Hispanics are predisposed to crime," and that these groups are "prone to commit acts of violence." Additionally, Judge Jones stated, that claims of racism, innocence, arbitrariness, and international standards are simply "red herrings" used by opponents of capital punishments. NBA President John E. Page stated, "The National Bar Association supports our affiliate chapter, the J.L. Turner Legal Association, in their efforts to demand that Judge Jones be held accountable for her remarks, which are unacceptable. As the oldest bar association representing African American lawyers and judges around the country, we understand the value of having an unbiased and impartial judiciary that faithfully represents and upholds the ethical principles of jurisprudence and equality. Additionally, we request that Chief Judge Carl Stewart fully review this matter and disclose all findings." The J.L. Turner Legal Association is among many civil rights groups that have filed a complaint against the Judge Jones who was nominated to the Fifth Circuit by President Ronald Reagan and was the Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit in 2006. Additionally, Jones has been mentioned as being on the list of potential nominees to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2012, the National Bar Association called for the resignation of U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull after he admitted to forwarding a racist email from his chambers aimed at President Barack Obama. Founded in 1952, J.L. Turner Legal Association ("JLTLA"), is the African-American bar association in Dallas, Texas. JLTLA is an organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life in our community through education, service and scholarship. The members of JLTLA provide scholarships to law students demonstrating financial or other needs, provide attorney mentors for law students, perform educational and other community outreach projects for North Texas area residents, and assist our members and the community to become more aware of African-American attorneys who practice in various areas of the law. The National Bar Association was founded in 1925 and is the nation's oldest and largest national network of predominantly African American attorneys and judges. It represents approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and law students and has over 80 affiliate chapters throughout the United States and around the world. For additional information about the National Bar Association, visit www.nationalbar.org.