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Iowa Supreme Court: Having Nearly All-White Jury Not A Violation Of Rights

Photo: Sue Danielson

(Des Moines, IA) -- The Iowa Supreme Court has ruled that having a nearly all-white jury in a trial, does not violate a defendant's rights to a fair trial. Kelvin Plain argued the number of African Americans on his jury panel did not represent the community's racial make-up. He also said Black Hawk County's jury practices led to fewer African Americans on his jury panel, and that his 6th Amendment rights were violated.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled against Plain, saying a lack of jurors of one race is not proof of systemic discrimination. The Court also found the county's methods for jury selection are standard. Black Hawk County sent out 100-jury summons. About half showed-up, and only one was African American.

Plain was charged in 2015 with one count of first degree harassment, an aggravated misdemeanor. On the first day of trial, Plain objected to the racial composition of the jury pool, alleging a violation of his Sixth Amendment right to an impartial jury. He was later convicted of the charge.


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