Hernandez v. The state of Texas In 1954 the supreme court extended constitutional rights to mexicans in the C.R. case Hernandez vs Texas. Before the case, Mexicans were known as white but still faced discrimination and segregation.4 years before, in Jackson County,Texas, Pete Hernandez was charged with murder and found guilty by an all white jury. Gustavo Garcia, also known as Gus Garcia, was an American C.R. lawyer who agreed to represent Hernandez’s case in an appeal to challenge the state systematic exclusion of people of Mexican origin from all types of jury duty. After the initial guilty decree was upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Hernandez case was appealed by the U.S. Supreme Court.
