BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Superior Court judge granted a defense motion that seeks to determine whether the case against Marque Qualls, who is charged with murder in an alleged drunken driving crash, is tainted by racial bias.
Qualls, who is Black, is facing charges including second-degree murder in the death of Arvin educator Larry Hallum, who was white. Qualls faces a life term in prison if convicted.
During a hearing Thursday, Judge John Oglesby granted a motion brought by Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans seeking evidence related to a potential violation of the state’s Racial Justice Act…