The NAACP plans to again request a federal Department of Justice review of the case against former Tacoma school principal Harold Wright Jr. to see whether there was racial bias in his prosecution on rape charges.

The state-area conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People first asked for a review of the case in July 2008. The Justice Department indicated it was looking at the case, but the NAACP got no further correspondence.

Local officials hope a new president will mean their second request will be accepted.

“We have an entirely different administration,” Oscar Eason Jr., president of the state-area conference, said Thursday at a press conference at Altheimer Memorial Church of God in Christ in Tacoma. “We are a lot more hopeful at this point in time ... (that) this matter would be reviewed.”

The NAACP reviewed the case against Wright and his conviction in September 2007. Officials have said they believe improper racial matters affected the trial proceedings and resulted in an unfair verdict.

“The only plausible explanation for charging Mr. Wright is that he is a prominent member of this community who happens to be black,” Eason said.

They also contend there was a “seriously flawed” police investigation and misconduct by prosecutors.

Eason said the NAACP will send its letter to the Justice Department within a week. The organization has no new evidence for the federal government to review.

A jury convicted Wright and a co-defendant, Richy Carter, both of whom are black, in 2007 of third-degree rape in an assault involving a young white woman. Last week, a state appeals court overturned the convictions, arguing the trial court erred in allowing the jury to consider the lesser charge of third-degree rape charge.

Prosecutors have said they plan to appeal the ruling to the Washington State Supreme Court. They have also denied the prosecution of Wright was racially motivated.

Wright was the principal of Baker Middle School in Tacoma when he was charged with second-degree rape. He was initially placed on administrative leave, then resigned after his conviction.

Pierce County prosecutors alleged Wright and Carter sexually assaulted a then-19-year-old woman in 2004.

The woman testified during the trial that she was held down and raped by at least one man – and possibly two – in the town house. Wright testified that he had no sexual contact with the woman. Carter testified he had consensual sex with the woman.

Wright reiterated his innocence at the press conference Wednesday.

“There was absolutely no crime committed,” he said.

Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268

stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/crime