The resumption of criminal jury trials in the Sixth Circuit should be blocked because a resurgence of COVID-19 cases means the circuit no longer complies with the Supreme Court’s administrative orders for resuming jury trials during the pandemic, according to Sixth Circuit Public Defender Bob Dillinger.

Dillinger on October 30 filed a petition for writ of prohibition, or alternatively for certiorari, with the Supreme Court on behalf of defendant Tymelle Huntley. That came days after Dillinger failed to get a delay for another defendant from the trial judge and the Second District Court of Appeal upheld that ruling.

Shortly after it was filed, the Supreme Court transferred the petition to the Second District Court of Appeal.