Tyrone Washington Jr.
A judge has denied throwing out an entire jury pool in the murder trial of a Northwood man charged in the 2013 stabbing death of his ex-girlfriend. Tyrone Washington’s trial was moved from Worth to Webster County a change of venue over concerns about how the small percentage of African-Americans living in Worth County would hinder Washington’s ability to receive a fair trial.
Washington was scheduled to be tried this past May, but when 112 potential jurors showed up for jury selection, 111 identified themselves as white with the other person stating they were Native American. Washington’s attorney Charles Kenville made the motion that the entire jury panel be stricken, with District Judge Colleen Weiland approving Kenville’s request.
This time, 4 African-Americans returned juror questionnaires and 3 were among more than 200 prospective jurors who showed up for jury duty Tuesday morning. Kenville moved once again to strike the jury, but District Judge Colleen Weiland denied the motion.
Jury selection is expected last through much of the day today.
(Reporting by Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City)