CENTRAL ISLIP – A man whose conviction for the murder of a Long Island woman 19 years ago was thrown out after a federal judge ruled that prosecutors improperly used preemptive challenges to prevent blacks from serving on the jury has lost a habeas corpus petition which he filed in the event that ruling is overturned.
Eastern District Judge Joanna Seybert denied Curtis Harris’ petition concerning his competency to stand trial in 1983 for the murder of Vicki Ketsoglou. In September 2000, Judge Seybert issued a decision granting habeas corpus relief on jury composition only, while denying the petition on all other grounds, including Mr. Harris’ competency.
