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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2002

The Supreme Court on Wednesday heard oral arguments in a jury bias case where Texas prosecutors eliminated African-Americans from serving on a death penalty trial.

Thomas Miller-El, who is African-American, was convicted of killing a hotel clerk during a 1985 robbery. He alleges his trial was unconstitutional because all but one African-American juror was eliminated.

Former solicitor general Seth P. Waxman argued the case for Miller-El. He said black jurors were "systematically" excluded.

A Texas official argued for the state and said the Supreme Court should defer the judge who oversaw the original trial.

Get the Story:
Praise the Constitution and Pass the Ammunition (Slate 10/16)
Bias Alleged in Tex. Murder Trial (The Washington Post 10/17)
Court Revisits Question of Jury Selection Bias (The New York Times 10/17)
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Relevant Documents:
Docket Sheet No. 01-7662 | 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling

Court Briefs:
Petition: Miller-El | Merits Brief: State of Texas