What does race have to do with the death penalty in Texas?

More than 72 percent of those on death row in Texas are people of color. Studies show race plays a role in the state's harshest punishment.

Studies have shown that Texas prosecutors chose to pursue the death penalty more often when a defendant was black than if a defendant was white. And while black Texans might be overrepresented on death row, past investigations have shown they were often underrepresented in jury pools.

Education publisher Pearson talked to The Texas Tribune and explained how race can factor into Texas death penalty cases. Watch the Pearson video below to learn more — or read our related coverage below.

Read related Tribune coverage

• Convicted murderer Alvin Braziel executed for killing Mesquite man and raping his wife
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturns death sentence for inmate Kenneth Wayne Thomas
• Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rules against death row inmate Jeff Wood