Tuesday, May 5, 1998
Gerardo Plaza v. State of Florida

No. 91,622

Place of Origin
Dade County

Facts
Plaza was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. During pretrial, the state used its peremptory challenges to excuse a number of women over Plaza's objection. On appeal he argued that the excusals were motivated by unlawful gender discrimination. The Third District disagreed, and Plaza appealed. reversed for a new trial