A New York man who was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison for murder had his conviction overturned because his mother was forced to wait outside a courtroom during jury selection.
Daniel Floyd, 23, was tried and convicted for fatally shooting a rival during a dice game. The conviction was tossed on April 25, 2013, because Floyd’s lawyer complained that his client’s mother couldn’t find a seat in a courtroom that was packed with potential jurors, the New York Post reported.
“Defense counsel observed, ’Certainly, as a public spectator, she has an absolute right to be present,’ ” the decision said. “This violation … requires a new trial.”
Floyd was back in court on Monday for a pre-retrial hearing.
“It’s very frustrating,” said Linda Dixon Hill, whose son, Leon Hill, was killed by Floyd in the March 9, 2008, dispute, the New York Post reported.
“He was found guilty by a jury [and then] the Court of Appeals overturned it,” she said sadly.
Floyd’s current defense attorney, Mario Romano, said they were trying to decide whether to accept a plea deal or go back to trial, the New York Post reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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