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All three networks covered the Supreme Court ruling on prison sentences for crack cocaine. ABC mentioned it only in passing; NBC had Pete Williams file a live stand-up; CBS assigned Wyatt Andrews to a full story. Andrews noted that the 100-to-1 disparity in punishments--50g of cocaine in rock form is treated as severely to 5kg of powder--"has long had racial overtones." The federal Sentencing Commission has concluded that the draconian law "was mostly putting away low-level street dealers and undermining African-American confidence in the courts." The Supreme Court now allows judges discretion in 30% of cases concerning extra penalties but not in the underlying mandatory minimums: "The 100-to-1 disparity still exists and only Congress can change that."
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