Race-based peremptory challenges to potential jurors in civil lawsuits is unconstitutional, U.S. Supreme Court rules. Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Company, Inc., 111 S.Ct. 2077 (1991).
     Correctional officer should have been provided legal defense by state in inmate civil rights suit; entitled to payment of private lawyer's fees. Mathis v. State, 531 N.Y.S.2d 680 (Sup. 1988).