WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — CORRECTION: This story originally said incorrectly that the Georgia Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Harris; they actually sent the case back to Houston County Superior Court for review.
A former Houston County bus driver who was convicted of killing a 6-year-old student in a 2018 accident may get a new trial.
The Georgia Supreme Court released its decision on Wednesday morning ruling in favor of Shalita Harris, the former bus driver.
Her lawyers argued that jurors in her trial were Googling information and doing their own legal research. They argued that was prejudicial misconduct and that the trial judge should grant her a new trial.
Judge Katherine Lumsden ruled against Harris's request.
But Georgia’s highest court this week said she did not apply the law properly and sent the case back to her for review, That may result in a new trial.
In 2019, a judge sentenced Harris to three years in prison and seven years on probation for the death of Arlana Haynes.
Police say Harris was driving a 2000 Bluebird bus north on Forest Park Drive when she hit the curve too fast. The bus left the road, rolled over, and Haynes was ejected. She died hours later at a Macon hospital.
There is no timeline for when Harris’ new trial will begin or if she will even have to face a retrial.
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