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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Lack Of Blacks Forces Dismissal Of Jury

Compiled From Wire Services

Too few blacks among more than 70 potential jurors forced a delay Monday in the murder trial of a black teen who claims he gunned down two gay white men who were out to rape him.

Circuit Judge Billy Joe Landrum dismissed the jury pool because there were just seven blacks, and six of those said they had conflicts that might make them ineligible.

Landrum rescheduled trial for Feb. 7, ordering a jury pool of 400 people.

Defense attorney J. Ronald Parrish claimed the small number of available blacks would make it impossible for Marvin McClendon to get a fair trial.