State v. Hampton

The defendant, Patricia Hampton, was convicted of theft over $1,500, in violation of La. R.S. 14:67. She was sentenced to three years at hard labor, with all but one year suspended, and two years of supervised probation. Restitution was ordered with a provision for early termination of probation upon payment of restitution. The defendant appeals. Finding merit to the defendant's assignment of error pertaining to her Batson challenges, we vacate the defendant's conviction and sentence. The matter is remanded for a new trial.

FACTS

In 2003, the defendant was hired by Mayor Eugene Smith as the…