Dallas woman re-convicted after Supreme Court’s reversal of nonunanimous jury verdicts

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Due to recent changes from the U.S. Supreme Court, an Oregon woman has been re-convicted on offenses she was first found guilty of more than a decade ago.

The Polk County District Attorney’s Office reported that Tara Leeann Griffin was convicted of first-degree assault and first-degree criminal mistreatment following a four-day trial in April. The 41-year-old former Dallas resident, whose previous surname was Davies, was first convicted for these crimes involving an infant in her care in 2011.

Authorities said Griffin was originally found guilty with an 11-1 vote from the jury, and sentenced to 10 years in prison. But a 2020 Supreme Court ruling overturned previous nonunanimous verdicts, prompting officials to seek a second trial.

“It was important that the integrity and justice of the first trial outcome be maintained, while fully respecting the due process rights of the defendant as our appellate courts envision,” Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton said in a statement.

Griffin’s sentencing is scheduled for May 13.