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OCT 30
Gray Thomas wins reversal of child sex abuse conviction

Gray Thomas, of counsel to Creed & Gowdy, successfully challenged a criminal conviction on charges of child sexual abuse. After the jury was selected but before the trial, bikers wearing leather jackets labeled "Bikers Against Child Abuse" were in courthouse hallways where some jurors were waiting. After the trial judge ordered them to not to wear the jackets in the courthouse, they sat in the spectator area of the courtroom closest to the jury throughout the trial.  The First District Court of Appeal found that the circumstances created an unacceptable risk that the jury's verdict was influenced by factors other than the evidence in violation of the defendant's constitutional right to a fair trial. The court  ordered a new trial. The opinion can be found here.