Accused Ga. killer uses creative legal argument

By GREG BLUESTEIN Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA (AP) - A Georgia man accused of killing two people is trying to get his murder charges dismissed by using the Census defense.

Floyd Wayne Williams Jr. is saying the charges should be dropped - or at least his trial should be delayed - until the 2010 Census is done. He says that way a jury that accurately reflects the county's current racial makeup can be chosen.

Williams, who is black, is to be tried in Clayton County, which has seen a surge in African-American residents since the 2000 Census.

Attorneys for Williams made their argument to the Georgia Supreme Court on Monday.

Jury pools in Clayton County, like many other jurisdictions, are drawn from voter registration lists, driver's license data and utility records. The list is then balanced by gender and race using the Census.

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