Posted on December 6, 2021

Tennessee Court Grants New Trial for Black Man After All-White Jury Deliberated in Room With Confederate Symbols

Adam Friedman and Mariah Timms, Tennessean, December 3, 2021

A Black man whose fate was decided by an all-white jury who deliberated in a room containing Confederate symbols will receive a new trial after a Tennessee’s Criminal Appeals Court ruling.

Tim Gilbert was sentenced in June 2020 to six years in prison for aggravated assault and other charges connected with a 2018 altercation.

But Gilbert and his attorney argued the symbols on display at the Giles County courthouse, the jury’s racial makeup and specific evidence allowed violated his right to a fair trial.

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The ruling, issued Friday, found Gilbert’s defense provided enough evidence to show how a jury could be influenced while deliberating in such a room, while also making it clear Tennessee’s attorneys didn’t adequately respond to the allegations.

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