Gwinnett jury list for 2002 ejected

LAWRENCEVILLE - A jury challenge in a capital murder case had brought the Gwinnett Court court system to a stand still.

A Judge ruled Monday that the way jurors are chosen is illegal and that the county does not recognize Hispanics as a distinct class of citizen.

Attorneys for Wesley Harris who is on trial for the burning death of a woman and her daughter in 2000, made the challenge citing that the jury selection in Gwinnett violates state law.

Visiting Judge John Langford of Atlanta ruled for the defense.

The defense also challenges that Hispanics were not equally reflected in the selection.

In October, Hall County Superior Court Judge Kathlene Gosselin became the first judge in the state to recognize Hispanics as a distinct class.