The jury is now deliberating in the murder trial of Keith Antoine Carter, accused of fatally shooting Winston-Salem police officer Howard Plouff during a fight at the Red Rooster night club.
Expect a verdict soon —- juries, judges and attorneys like to get these things wrapped up before the weekend. Whichever verdict the jury renders will be controversial. A ‘not guilty’ verdict — highly likely due to the first-degree murder charge —- means the person responsible for Sgt. Plouff’s death will still be at large.
A guilty verdict brought in by an all-white jury will be equally controversial, if not more so, given Winston-Salem’s history of racial politics.
