In a significant legal ruling, a Georgia court has determined that a juror’s failure to disclose her prior felony conviction could lead to a new trial for 30-year sentenced inmate Mills and possibly his co-defendants, Dominique Carter and Quatez White.
Jurors are required to disclose any felony convictions during selection, and in this case, the juror in question was sentenced under Georgia’s First Offender Act, which allows some defendants the opportunity to erase their conviction records if they successfully complete probation.
However, this particular juror had her first offender status revoked in 1997 after violating her probation conditions by possessing cocaine, revealing a significant breach of trust in her role as a juror.
Mills’ attorney, Matthew Winchester, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating, “We are obviously happy about it. We think that’s the right result.”
Following the ruling, Winchester indicated that he would seek Mills’ release on bond as soon as the case returns to trial court.
The Fulton County district attorney’s office has shown intention to request a review of the ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court, adding an element of uncertainty for Mills and his co-defendants moving forward.
Winchester believes that if Mills’ ruling is upheld, it could also impact the cases of Carter and White, potentially granting them new trials as well.
In a 2015 incident outside a residence on Cooper Street in Atlanta, Mills, Carter, and White faced serious charges including participation in criminal street gang activity, attempted murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery, and other offenses.
The juror, who had a direct connection to gang activity, testified during the post-trial hearing that she had not received a pardon, which led to questions about her qualification to serve on the jury that convicted Mills and his co-defendants.
When the case was initially brought to Judge Eric Dunaway in June 2023, Mills’ request for a new trial was denied. Dunaway concluded that the juror’s conviction did not unfairly impact Mills’ case, suggesting that the juror’s misunderstanding of ballot questions during jury selection played a significant role in her failure to disclose her background.
Dunaway stated in his order, “(Mills) has not demonstrated that any juror misconduct occurred here or that he was harmed by any such conduct.”
Prosecutors argued that the juror may have shown sympathy toward Mills, considering her experiences with gang members who participated in positive community activities.
They noted her familial ties to gang members and her belief in second chances, stating, “(The juror) believed sometimes you fall victim to the streets… and that everyone deserves a second chance.”
The appellate judges, however, did not find these arguments convincing, paving the way for the current ruling.
Attempts to reach the mysterious juror for comments on her situation were unsuccessful as of Friday, and representatives from the Fulton DA’s office had not provided any immediate responses regarding the implications of the ruling.
As the case develops, the ramifications of the appellate court’s decision are likely to reshape the future for Mills, Carter, and White, each fighting for justice in light of potential juror misconduct that now taints their original convictions.
image source from：https://www.ajc.com/news/2025/05/fulton-jurors-cocaine-conviction-upends-attempted-murder-trial/
