Lack of racial diversity leads Iowa judge to dismiss 112-member jury pool

Published May 03, 2016

An Iowa judge has dismissed a 112-member jury pool after determining that a black man accused of murder couldn't get a fair trial when all but one potential juror is white.

The Globe Gazette (http://bit.ly/1ECeIPD ) reports 41-year-old Tyrone Washington Jr. of Northwood is accused in the August 2013 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend, 30-year-old Justina Smith.

Washington's defense attorney requested to have the entire jury pool stricken, and District Judge Colleen Weiland on Tuesday granted his motion. Out of the 112 jury pool, 111 people had identified themselves as white. One juror identified himself as Native American.

A new trial date wasn't set Tuesday, but the case is expected to remain in Webster County, about 80 miles north of Des Moines.

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Information from: Globe Gazette, http://www.globegazette.com/

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/lack-of-racial-diversity-leads-iowa-judge-to-dismiss-112-member-jury-pool