New Jersey’s highest court has tossed out a 2017 first-degree
murder conviction after finding that the state may have relied on “implicit or
unconscious” bias when it sought to remove a prospective Black juror.
The decision Tuesday called for a new trial and a state conference
on how juries are selected in New Jersey, a process based on law dating to the
late 1800s.
In 2017, Edwin Andujar was convicted of first-degree murder after
authorities accused him of stabbing his roommate 12 times with a knife.
During jury selection for Andujar’s trial, the state challenged a
prospective juror, but the court rejected the challenge.
Prosecutors then checked the prospective juror's background and
found a warrant and had him arrested. The court said bias may have played a
role.
AP wire services helped contribute to this report.