Ex Parte Williams

Mary Williams was convicted of first degree theft of property and of second degree theft of property. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed those convictions. We reverse that court's judgment and remand the cause.

Williams was indicted for first degree theft of property and second degree theft of property in relation to alleged overpayments made to her by the Alabama Department of Human Resources from its Aid to Dependent Children program. During jury selection, the State used peremptory strikes to strike four of the five black venire members; the other black venire member was selected to…