Opinion ID: 1267182
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the distinctiveness of hall county hispanics

Text: 2. The first question posed to the parties was whether the trial court correctly determined that Hispanics in Hall County are a distinctive group under a Sixth Amendment analysis. To show that a group is distinctive under the Sixth Amendment, a defendant must prove: (1) that the group is defined and limited by some factor ...; (2) that a common thread or basic similarity in attitude, ideas, or experience runs through the group; and (3) that there is a community of interest among members of the group such that the group's interests cannot be adequately represented if the group is excluded from the jury selection process. [Cit.] Potts v. State, 259 Ga. 812(1), 388 S.E.2d 678 (1990). Whether a group is sufficiently distinct under the Sixth Amendment fair-cross-section analysis is a question of fact. Id. At the hearing, almost every witness for the defendant and for the State testified that they believed Hispanics are a distinctive group in Hall County. Witnesses identified characteristics shared by Hall County Hispanics such as origin in Mexico or South or Central America, the speaking of Spanish, professing the Roman Catholic faith, a strong work ethic, and strong family traditions. Many courts have determined that Hispanics are a distinctive group for Sixth Amendment purposes. See, e.g., United States v. Lara, 181 F.3d 183, 192, n. 1 (1st Cir.1999); United States v. Rioux, 97 F.3d 648, 654 (2d Cir. 1996); United States v. Esquivel, 88 F.3d 722, 726 (9th Cir.1996); United States v. Garcia, 991 F.2d 489, 491 (8th Cir.1993). The trial court did not err by finding that Hall County Hispanics are a distinctive group. See id.