Conviction overturned for death row inmate

WASHINGTON, March 20 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court, citing improper jury selection, has overturned the conviction of a Louisiana man on death row for 12 years.

The vote was 7-2 with Justice Samuel Alito writing the majority opinion. Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia dissented.

The case involved Allen Snyder of Kenner, La., who is now entitled to a new trial, the New York Times said Thursday.

He was convicted of murder in the fatal stabbing of a man dating his estranged wife. Snyder, a black man, charged the prosecutor used improper tactics to assure his jury would be an all-white one.

The high court entered the case three years ago when it ordered the Louisiana Supreme Court to re-examine its conviction of Snyder. Louisiana upheld the verdict which led it back to the high court for its Wednesday action.