Case Name: Harold ALEX, Jr., et al. v. RAYNE CONCRETE SERVICE, et al.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 2007-01-26
Citations: 951 So. 2d 138
Docket Number: Nos. 2005-C-1457, 2005-C-2344, 2005-C-2520
Parties: Harold ALEX, Jr., et al. v. RAYNE CONCRETE SERVICE, et al.
Judges: CALOGERO, Chief Justice, concurs in the result and assigns reasons.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 951
Pages: 138–165

Head Matter:
Harold ALEX, Jr., et al. v. RAYNE CONCRETE SERVICE, et al.
Nos. 2005-C-1457, 2005-C-2344, 2005-C-2520.
Supreme Court of Louisiana.
Jan. 26, 2007.
Rehearing Denied March 30, 2007.
Allen & Gooch, Charles M. Kreamer, Robert A. Robertson, Lafayette, for Applicant (2005-C-1457).
Harold D. Register, Jr., Lafayette, Johnson, Stiltner & Rahman, Patricia J. Delpit, Baton Rouge, for Respondent (2005-C-1457).
Allen & Gooch, Charles M. Kreamer, Robert A. Robertson, Lafayette, for Applicant (2005-C-2344).
Harold D. Register, Jr., Lafayette, Johnson, Stiltner & Rahman, Patricia J. Delpit, Baton Rouge, for Respondent (2005-C-2344).
Harold D. Register, Jr., Lafayette, for Applicant (2005-C-2520).
Allen & Gooch, Charles M. Kreamer, Robert A. Robertson, Lafayette, Patricia J. Delpit, Baton Rouge, for Applicant (2005-C-2520).

Opinion:
KNOLL, J.
hWe granted these consolidated writs to resolve a split among the courts of appeal regarding whether a Batson/Edmonson challenge in a civil trial must be taken to the appellate court by supervisory writ or whether it may be considered on appeal following the conclusion of the trial. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 05-1457 (La.1/27/06), 922 So.2d 524. After reviewing the record and the applicable law, we hold an intermediate appellate court may review a Batson/Edmonson challenge in a civil case on supervisory writ application or on appeal. Further, on the merits of the challenge in this case, we affirm the court of appeal's ruling that the trial court erred in granting a peremptory challenge of a juror in violation of Batson/Edmon- son. However, we reverse and set aside that part of the appellate court judgment affected by its de novo review, and remand this matter to the trial court for a new trial.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
This matter arises out of a personal injury lawsuit Harold Alex, Jr. ("Alex") brought against Rayne Concrete Service ("Rayne Concrete") and its insurer, Employers Mutual Casualty Company. Alex sustained an alleged work-related injury to his lower back on October 17, 1995 when his employer, Louisiana Concrete ^Specialist ("LCS"), was pouring and finishing the decking around a swimming pool Professional Pools was constructing at a residence in Rayne, Louisiana. Alex was injured when an employee of Rayne Concrete, who was driving the concrete truck, lowered the trough through which the concrete was poured onto Alex's back.
The matter was first tried to a jury on December 1, 1998, but resulted in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the liability issue. A second jury trial was held on December 18, 2000, and the jury returned a verdict finding Alex 80% at fault, and Rayne Concrete 20% at fault, and awarding damages totaling $123,771.00. Alex filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and, alternatively, for a new trial. Alex's motion for new trial was granted and affirmed on appeal. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 01-1535 (La.App. 3 Cir. 4/3/02), 813 So.2d 1189.
This matter was tried before a jury a third time from July 12, 2004 to July 15, 2004. After jury selection, Alex made a Batson/Edmonson challenge objecting to the striking of four potential jurors. The trial court rejected this challenge, and Alex did not seek review of this decision by writ application. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury rendered a verdict apportioning fault 45% to Alex, 50% to Rayne Concrete, and 5% to LCS, and awarded damages totaling $76,000.00.
Alex appealed, alleging, among other things, the trial court's ruling on the Bat-son/Edmonson challenge was manifestly erroneous. The court of appeal accepted this matter for hearing en banc for the purpose of determining whether a party must seek review of a Batson/Edmonson challenge by supervisory writ application or |swhether the party can wait until the conclusion of the trial to seek appellate review. After considering the split among the circuits on this issue, the court of appeal held:
After considering the matter, we find that the precepts of judicial economy and fundamental fairness would be better served by allowing a party to a civil suit to have his Batson/Edmonson challenge heard on appeal, rather than solely on application for supervisory writ. Other than the case law cited above, we base this finding on several other reasons. First, on the grounds of judicial economy, we note the burden and strain that would be placed on an attorney, especially a sole practitioner or a member of a small firm, if required to file a writ application during trial. This is especially true in those instances where the trial court refuses to grant a stay of the jury trial while awaiting a review of its decision. Second, we note the impracticality of requiring this type of challenge to be taken upon a writ application. If the trial court refuses to grant a stay of the proceedings and the jury trial continues, a mistrial would have to be declared if the challenger's writ is granted and the appellate court holds that the trial court's decision is erroneous in dismissing the affected jurors. Moreover, if the trial court were to grant a stay, it would be taxing on the jury venire as, depending on the decision reached, the excluded venire members, the jury, and the rest of the venire would have to return to court to complete jury selection and then the trial. Thus, in these two instances judicial economy would be impeded.
With regard to fundamental fairness, we note, as did the first circuit in Hurts [v. Woodis, 95-2166 (La.App. 1 Cir. 6/28/96),] 676 So.2d 1166, that the review of a trial court's ruling on a party's challenge of a juror for cause is routinely reviewed on appeal. As found by the first circuit, we find no meaningful distinction between this type of ruling and a trial court's ruling on a party's Bat-son/Edmonson challenge. Further, as we pointed out, Batson challenges are taken up on appeal in criminal cases all the time. We can find no distinction between Batson/Edmonson challenges in the context of criminal and civil matters. Finally, the challenge in Edmon-son was considered by the United States Supreme Court on appeal.
Considering the foregoing, we reverse our opinion in Adams v. Canal Indemnity Co., 99-1190 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/10/00), 760 So.2d 1197, writs denied, 00-1636, 00-1637, 00-1640 (La.9/22/00), 769 So.2d 1213. Although we will still consider Batson/Edmonson challenges via writ applications, we will also address such issues on appeal. The remaining issues in this case will be addressed by the original panel to which it was assigned. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 04-1555 (La.App. 3 Cir. 5/6/05), 902 So.2d 563 (en banc).
14As a result of this en banc ruling, the court of appeal also considered plaintiffs remaining issues in a separate opinion by the original panel assigned to the case. The court of appeal held the trial court erred in denying plaintiffs Batson/Edmon-son challenge to Rayne Concrete's systematic exclusion of blacks from the jury. The court of appeal concluded the trial judge committed legal error by allowing a peremptory challenge of Reva Mae Chariot, an African-American woman, which deprived Alex of a jury of his peers. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 04-1555 (La.App. 3 Cir. 9/14/05), 915 So.2d 931, 937. Recognizing this was the third jury trial, the court of appeal conducted a de novo review rather than remanding the case for a new trial. Id. After considering plaintiffs arguments that the trial court erred in admitting certain medical records, and that the jury erred in apportioning 45% fault to Alex and in its assessment of damages, the court of appeal apportioned 20% fault to Alex and 80% to Rayne Concrete, and awarded Alex $75,000.00 in general damages, $13,000 in past medical expenses, and $13,000 in past lost wages. The appellate court further apportioned costs 20% to Alex and 80% to Rayne Concrete. Id. at 938-948.
We granted and consolidated defendants' writ applications, in which they allege the court of appeal erred in reversing the trial court's Batson/Edmonson ruling, in failing to conduct a harmless error analysis to determine whether the exclusion of the juror was harmless, and in apportioning 80% fault to Rayne Concrete. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 05-2344 (La.1/27/06), 922 So.2d 525. We also granted and consolidated Alex's writ appli cations, which alleged the court of appeal erred in conducting a de novo review, in finding defendants presented plausible reasons for challenging prospective jurors Thomas and Jordan, in admitting certain medical records, in apportioning 20% fault to Alex, and in its assessment of damages, and in |staxing 20% of the costs of the appeal to Alex. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 05-2520 (La.5/5/06), 927 So.2d 299.
DISCUSSION
The primary legal issue in this case is the proper procedural mechanism by which a party may seek review of a Batson/Edmonson challenge in a civil case. The general concept of allocation of jurisdiction in civil actions in Louisiana is trial in the district court, with the constitutional right to appeal to the court of appeal, La. Const. Ann. art. V, § 10, and to seek discretionary review by the Supreme Court, La. Const. Ann. art. V, § 5. Frank L. MaRaist and Harry T. Lemmon, 1 Louisiana Civil Law Treatise: Civil Procedure, (West 1999). An appeal "is the exercise of the right of a party to have a judgment of a trial court reversed, modified, set aside, or revised by an appellate court." La. Code Civ. Proo. Ann. art. 2082. A party may appeal (1) from a final judgment in actions in which appeals are given by law; (2) an interlocutory judgment only when expressly provided by law; and (3) from a judgment reformed in accordance with an additur or remittitur. LaCode Civ. Proo. Ann. art. 2083 (amended in 2005). A final judgment in a civil case is generally ap-pealable to the intermediate appellate court as a matter of right. There is no prohibition in the constitutional or statutory law which would prohibit a party from appealing a trial court's ruling on a Bat-son/Edmonson challenge at the conclusion of the trial.
A ruling on a jury challenge is an "interlocutory judgment," as it "does not determine the merits but only preliminary matters in the course of the action." La. Code Crv. Proo. Ann. art. 1841. While the Code of Civil Procedure specifically designates a few interlocutory judgments as appealable, review of all other | ^interlocutory judgments — even those which cause irreparable injury — must be sought through supervisory writs under LaCode Civ. Proc. Ann. art. 2201. Maraist and Lemmon, § 14.3, p. 104 (2006 Pocket Part). A ruling on a jury challenge is not among the interlocutory judgments that are "expressly provided by law" as appeal-able, such that a party does not have the right to "appeal" a jury challenge prior to the entry of a final judgment by the trial court. Pursuant to the amendment of La. Code Civ. Proo. Ann. art. 2083 in 2005, an application for supervisory writs under La. Code Crv. Proo. Ann. art. 2201 is the primary means of seeking review of interlocutory judgments. Id. at 116. LaCode Civ. Proo. Ann. art. 2201 provides that "[supervisory writs maybe applied for and granted in accordance with the constitution and rules of the supreme court and other courts exercising appellate jurisdiction.]" There is no question that, as an interlocutory order, an intermediate |7court of appeal can review a trial court's ruling on a Batson/Edmonson ruling upon supervisory writ application.
However, when presented with a Bat-son/Edmonson challenge, our courts of appeal have conflicting views as to whether such ruling can also be considered on appeal. The Second and Fourth Circuits have held that judicial economy, procedural due process, and equal protection all mandate that when a party in a civil case wishes to seek appellate court review of a Batson/Edmonson issue, it must do so by an application for supervisory writs and may not do so by an appeal after trial. Phillips v. Winn Dixie Stores, Inc., 94-0354 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2/23/95), 650 So.2d 1259, 1263, writ denied, 95-0748 (La.4/28/95), 653 So.2d 599; Cooke v. Allstate Ins. Co., 93-1057 (La.App. 4 Cir. 4/14/94), 635 So.2d 1330, 1333, writ denied, 94-1257 (La.9/2/94), 659 So.2d 496; White v. Touro Infirmary, 93-1617 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2/11/94), 633 So.2d 755, 760; Holmes v. Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co., 622 So.2d 748, 760 (La.App. 4 Cir.), writ denied, 629 So.2d 1178 (La.1993); Freeman v. Humble, 27,419 (La.App. 2 Cir. 9/27/95), 661 So.2d 652, 654. Certain of these courts have expressed the view that "[proceeding to trial when there is an error which does not | Rhave an effect on the fact finding process but can nullify the entire proceeding, is a tremendous waste of judicial time and resources." Freeman, supra at 654 (citing Holmes, supra and White, supra). Nevertheless, both the Second and Fourth Circuits have reviewed Bat-son/Edmonson challenges on appeal. See Cooke, supra; Matthews v. Arkla Lubricants, Inc., 32,121 (La.App. 2 Cir. 8/18/99), 740 So.2d 787, 800-01; Freeman, supra at 654; Smith v. Lincoln General Hosp., 27,-133 (La.App. 2 Cir. 6/21/95), 658 So.2d 256, 270-71, writ denied, 95-1808 (La.10/27/95), 662 So.2d 3.
On the other hand, the First Circuit and now the Third Circuit review trial court rulings on a party's Batson/Edmonson challenge on appeal, as well as under their supervisory jurisdiction. Grayson v. R.B. Ammon and Associates, Inc., 99-2597 (La. App. 1 Cir. 11/3/00), 778 So.2d 1, 7-9, writs denied, 00-3270, 00-3311 (La.1/26/01), 782 So.2d 1026, 1027; Lee v. Magnolia Garden Apartments, 96-1328 (La.App. 1 Cir. 5/9/97), 694 So.2d 1142, 1146-49, writ denied, 97-1544 (La.9/26/97), 701 So.2d 990; Hurts v. Woodis, 95-2166 (La.App. 1 Cir. 6/28/96), 676 So.2d 1166, 1172; Richard v. St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co., 94-2112 (La.App. 1 Cir. 6/23/95), 657 So.2d 1087, 1089-91; Masse-Richardson v. Samudia, 05-987 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/15/06), 925 So.2d 722. The Fifth Circuit has also reviewed Batson/Edmonson challenges on appeal. Fisher v. River Oaks, Ltd., 93-677 (La.App. 5 Cir. 3/16/94), 635 So.2d 1209, writ denied, 94-932 (La.6/3/94), 637 So.2d 503.
This Court has reviewed Batson challenges in a criminal case on appeal, State v. Myers, 99-1803 (La.4/11/00), 761 So.2d 498, and routinely reviews Batson challenges in capital cases on direct appeal. Similarly, challenges for cause in civil eases are also routinely reviewed on appeal. See, e.g., Scott v. American Tobacco, Co., 02-770 (La.3/28/02), 814 So.2d 544; Lockett v. State, Dept. of Transp. and 9Development, 02-651 (La.App. 1 Cir. 4/2/03), 844 So.2d 949; Bannerman v. Bishop, 28,382 (La.App. 2 Cir. 7/2/96), 688 So.2d 570, writ denied, 96-2755 (La.1/10/97), 685 So.2d 146; Menard v. Holland, 05-353(La. App. 3 Cir. 12/30/05), 919 So.2d 810, writ denied, 06-649 (La.5/26/06), 930 So.2d 29; Fisher, supra. Likewise, federal courts review peremptory and for cause challenges on appeal. See e.g., Edmonson, supra; Moran v. Clarke, 443 F.3d 646 (8th Cir.(Mo.) 2006).
Significantly, in light of the United States Supreme Court's decision in Miller-El v. Dretke, 545 U.S. 231, 125 S.Ct. 2317, 162 L.Ed.2d 196 (2005), that a defendant may rely on "all relevant circumstances" to raise an inference of purposeful discrimination under Batson, and not just the reasons proffered by the State in making the peremptory challenge, it seems reasonable, if not necessary in some circumstances, for a party to wait until after the entire trial is over to seek review of the peremptory challenge. For example, comments could even be made in closing argument that would be relevant under Miller-El to prove a party's racial motive in making an earlier peremptory challenge.
Thus, although judicial economy may be better served in some instances by requiring a party to seek review of a peremptory challenge by supervisory writ, we hold that a party is not required to proceed that way, and may seek review by appeal after the conclusion of the trial. Not only is this practice in line with the procedure utilized in criminal cases, it is also consistent with the practice regarding challenges for cause in civil cases and the practice in federal courts. Thus, we affirm the court of ap peal's en banc ruling that a Batson/Ed-monson ruling in a civil case may be reviewed by an intermediate appellate court on appeal.
| ^PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES
Having concluded the reviewing court properly considered this Batson/Edmon-son ruling as an issue for appellate review, we now address the court of appeal's ruling that the trial court committed legal error when it granted Rayne Concrete's peremptory challenge to prospective juror, Reva Mae Chariot, in violation of Bat-son/Edmonson, and further in upholding the trial court's grant of Rayne Concrete's peremptory challenge to prospective jurors, Dennis Thomas and Natalie Jordan.
Rayne Concrete, relying primarily on language in State v. Seals, 95-0305 (La.11/25/96), 684 So.2d 368, cert. denied, 520 U.S. 1199, 117 S.Ct. 1558, 137 L.Ed.2d 705 (1997), contends the appellate court erred in faulting it for failing to question Chariot during voir dire and in further finding counsel's "gut feeling" about Chariot was insufficient reasons to justify striking her peremptorily.
At the beginning of the jury selection process in the case sub judice, four African-Americans, Dennis Thomas, Reva Mae Chariot, Mary Taylor and Natalie Jordan, were selected as part of the voir dire panel. The trial judge questioned all the prospective jurors as to their employment, marital status, and children. Prospective juror Chariot answered she was a housewife, married with five children, and her husband had a trucking company. Plaintiffs counsel conducted the only other questioning of Chariot, as follows:
MR. REGISTER: All right, thank you, sir. Ms. Chariot, how are you doing?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR CHARLOT:
All right.
MR. REGISTER: That's good. Can you think of any reason that you don't want to serve?
PROSPECTIVE JUROR CHARLOT: None whatsoever.
MR. REGISTER: You're ready to go, huh? All right. I like that attitude? Okay, great. Thank you so much....
In After the panel had been questioned, the trial court challenged Taylor for cause and thereafter, Rayne Concrete used three of its peremptory challenges to excuse Thomas, Chariot, and Jordan. After the parties exercised all their challenges, plaintiffs counsel made his Batson/Edmonson challenge outside the presence of the jury:
MR. REGISTER: Wait, wait. Before we bring them back in I have an objection to make, Your Honor. At this particular time I'm going to make a Batson challenge against opposing Counsel, and I will state for the record that Mr. Alex has the right to a fair trial among his peers. Natalie Jordan, a black female, was rejected. Mary Taylor, a black female, was excused. Dennis Thomas, a black male, was excused. Reva Chariot, a black female, was excused. In light of the fact that the blacks that I mentioned were the only blacks on the panel, that leaves Mr. Alex without a jury of his peers, Your Honor. So we would impose a Batson ruling on that and would challenge that.
MR. KREAMER: Your Honor, I think all we have to do on that particular ruling is just state a non-race related reason for striking those particular jurors.
THE COURT: Okay.
MR. KREAMER: Mr. Thomas indicated that he worked in the concrete business for fifteen years and had not been trained, very similar to Mr. Alex. We don't want his particular history. We're afraid that anything that he might think about what Mr. Alex went through being what the standard is in the industry, and he might not listen to what is going . on; as opposed to the guy, Mr. Kershaw, who was also in the industry. He was trained, and he knows the standards that are going to be consistent with the particular rules that are going to be testified to by Dennis Howard, the concrete liability expert.
Ms. Chariot: She and I just didn't get [good vibes].C :i I was looking at her, and she just looked like she didn't like me, and I think she liked Mr. Alex. And that's just based on my personal observations, and that was just kind of a gut feeling.
Ms. Jordan: There were many reasons. We thought she was very close to being a challenge for cause, and we did make a for cause challenge against her. She obviously wasn't going to be able to focus on the evidence. And she also answered some of my general questions in ways which I think would make her more favorable to the plaintiff than the defendant.
Then Ms. Taylor was struck for cause by Your Honor.
112THE COURT: And was that the three that you talked about?
MR. REGISTER: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: And [Mr. Register], quite honestly, I don't believe it applies in civil matters, but I think it's applicable in criminal matters, and I do think they asserted race-neutral reasons for their peremptory challenges — [ ]
MR. KREAMER: I agree, Your Hon- or, and I don't think it does apply, but just out of fairness—
THE COURT: Yes, and just to preserve the record I think it is a good idea.
MR. KREAMER: Right.
MR. REGISTER: Well, I still feel that either a civil or criminal person has a right to have a fair trial with a jury among his peers, Your Honor, and I totally disagree with Mr. Kreamer's ruling as relates to Dennis Thomas, excusing him because he was a former cement worker, and then retaining Mr. Ker-shaw. We feel that the only difference between them is Mr. Thomas is black and Mr. Kershaw is white.
As it relates to Reva Chariot or whatever her last name is, we totally disagree with Mr. Kreamer about they didn't get the right connection. She clearly stated that she could be fair and impartial, just like the other nonblack jurors basically did. And so we feel that that is not a neutral reason at all, Your Honor.
And as relates to Ms. Jordan, yes, she struggled back and forth, but that attempt of a challenge for cause that was made by Mr. Kreamer, it was very evidence that Ms. Jordan was trying to get out of jury duty. So we feel that his reason was not at all neutral.
And Ms. Taylor, even though she was somewhat interesting and going from one extreme to the other, we feel that based upon the fact that—
THE COURT: Well, Ms. Taylor was challenged for cause.
MR. REGISTER: Right, and I certainly object to that. No disrespect to the Court, but I certainly feel that she still should have served. But the bottom line, Your Honor, what you have is a total elimination of all — unless I missed something, I don't think any black jurors are left. We would allege at this particular point that this is clearly not a jury of Mr. Alex's peers. And regardless of if it's civil or criminal, he still has a right to a jury among his peers. So we're simply | agoing to object to the challenges made by opposing counsel. Thank you, Your Honor.
THE COURT: And your objection is noted. All right, you can bring in the jury.
The court of appeal found "Rayne Concrete presented plausible, if not persuasive reasons for using its peremptory challenges against Thomas, who was previously employed in the concrete industry, and Jordan, who stated that she would be unable to concentrate during the trial due to concern for her children." However, as to prospective juror Chariot, the court of appeal found as follows:
We recognize that impressions drawn by the parties play an important part in their decision on whether to challenge a prospective juror. Further, we acknowledge that the trial court is in a far superior position to evaluate the prospective juror vis a vis a parties' challenge, together with impressions drawn from body language and demean- or. However, it seems that to allow a challenge of a protected class of prospective jurors based on an impression garnered from little or no questioning or other statements or argument made by counsel eviscerates the intent of the Batson/Edmonson rule. Accordingly, counsel's impressions which led to his peremptory challenge of Chariot, although arguably race-neutral, were not sufficient to meet the standard set by Batson/Edmonson. Thus, we find that the trial court committed legal error.
Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 915 So.2d at 937.
Against that factual and procedural background, we now address the limited question presented.
Initially, we note plaintiffs writ application asserts the court of appeal erred in finding Rayne Concrete presented plausible reasons for its peremptory challenges against prospective jurors Thomas and Jordan. In response to the Bat-son/Edmonson challenge raised to these two prospective jurors, Rayne Concrete articulated that Thomas had prior work experience in the concrete industry that may color his | uappreciation of the plaintiffs case and further stated Jordan's concern for her children made it difficult for her to concentrate on the case at hand. After reviewing the record, we agree with the court of appeal's finding Rayne Concrete properly exercised peremptory challenges as to these two prospective jurors and to this extent the trial court properly ruled on the plaintiffs Batson/Edmonson challenge.
The thrust of Rayne Concrete's writ application and the real focus of our attention in this aspect of the case is the appellate court's holding with regard to prospective juror Chariot and its comments regarding Rayne Concrete's "gut feeling" about this juror. To better frame our discussion in the present ease, it is important that we focus on the particular objection Rayne Concrete verbalized about its decision to peremptorily challenge Chariot and how plaintiffs counsel responded to that reasoning. The record shows defense counsel primarily relied upon a "gut feeling" that Chariot did not like him, but liked the plaintiff. The only elaboration he provided was that his "gut feeling" was generally based upon his observation of Chariot, but he did not include any particularization of his observations. In response, counsel for Alex pointed out to the trial court that Chariot clearly stated she could be fair and impartial, just like the other non-black jurors, and the voir dire transcript shows nothing to the contrary. Thus, it is in this factual setting we are called upon to determine whether the trial judge manifestly erred in finding defense counsel's peremptory challenge to Chariot was not pretextual when judged in light of all evidence with a bearing on it. See Miller-El, 545 U.S. at 252, 125 S.Ct. at 2331.
|1fiThe Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution prohibits engaging in purposeful discrimination on the grounds of race in the exercise of peremptory challenges. Batson, 476 U.S. at 89, 106 S.Ct. at 1719; State v. Snyder, 98-1078 (La.9/6/06), 942 So.2d 484. As we recently explained in State v. Snyder, supra, the Supreme Court has redescribed the three-step Batson process which guides the courts' examination of peremptory challenges for constitutional infirmities, as follows:
A defendant's Batson challenge to a peremptory strike requires a three-step inquiry. First, the trial court must determine whether the defendant has made a prima facie showing that the prosecutor exercised a peremptory Chal lenge on the basis of race. Second, if the showing is made, the burden shifts to the prosecutor to present a race-neutral explanation for striking the juror in question. Although the prosecutor must present a comprehensive reason, the second step of this process does not demand an explanation that is persuasive, or even plausible; so long as the reason is not inherently discriminatory, it suffices. Third, the court must then determine whether the defendant has carried his burden of proving purposeful discrimination. This final step involves evaluating the persuasiveness of the justification proffered by the prosecutor, but the ultimate burden of persuasion regarding racial motivation rests with, and never shifts from, the opponent of the strike. [Internal quotations and citations omitted.]
State v. Snyder, supra at 489 (citing Rice v. Collins, 546 U.S. 333, 126 S.Ct. 969, 163 L.Ed.2d 824 (2006)). The Court in Collins reversed a Court of Appeals' judgment |1fithat held the trial court had acted unreasonably by crediting the prosecutor's race-neutral reasons for striking an African-American panelist, finding that the Court of Appeals had improperly substituted its evaluation of the record for that of the state trial court. Collins, 126 S.Ct. at 973. The Court found the record did not demonstrate a reasonable fact finder must necessarily conclude the prosecutor lied about his reasons for striking the panelist. Id. at 975.
Further, as stated above, the Supreme Court in Miller-El expanded upon the type and quantum of evidence considered in Batson's third step. As we explained in State v. Snyder:
The Miller-El opinion begins by recognizing Batson's weakness is its "very emphasis on the particular reasons a prosecutor might give." Miller-El, 545 U.S. at 240, 125 S.Ct. at 2325. The Court continued, "Some stated reasons are false, and although some false reasons are shown up within the four corners of a given case, sometimes a court may not be sure unless it looks beyond the case at hand." Id. Miller-El, therefore, redirects attention to "Batson's explanation that a defendant may rely on 'all relevant circumstances' to raise an inference of purposeful discrimination," Id., and to the trial judge's duty under Batson "to assess the plausibility" of the prosecutor's proffered reason for striking a potential juror "in light of all evidence with a bearing on it." (Emphasis supplied.) Id., 545 U.S. at 252,125 S.Ct. at 2331.
State v. Snyder, supra at 490.
Our review of this state's jurisprudence reveals several instances where the courts have discussed "gut feelings" in the context of Batson. We stated in State v. Seals, "[i]n courts of our state, as well as in federal courts in this circuit, eye contact (or lack of it), body language, and other sense impressions appear to be recognized as important factors in decisions to exercise peremptory challenges." 05-0305 (La.11/25/96), 684 So.2d 368, cert. denied sub nom Seals v. Louisiana, 520 U.S. 1199, 117 S.Ct. 1558, 137 L.Ed.2d 705 (1997). Although our opinion in Seals did not particularize the facts relative to the Batson challenge, the cases cited in support of our statement that the prosecutor's reasons for exercising his peremptory challenges |17were not racially motivated either involved eye contact (or the lack thereof) or that a particular juror was inattentive. Thus, even though Seals references sense impressions, it cannot be said our opinion specifically addressed that issue. The same can be said of our decision in State v. Elie, 05-1569 (La.7/10/06), 936 So.2d 791. Although in Elie we com mented, "the State's proffered reasons appeared race-neutral because they were ground in fact, rather than irrational or intuitive reasons," we did not have to address head-on the question of whether intuitive reasons, i.e., "gut feelings," were sufficient race neutral grounds for the exercise of a peremptory challenge. Id., 936 So.2d at 800. Thus, neither Seals nor Elie, though indicative of contrary viewpoints on the issue, may be said to express this Court's holding on the question of "gut feelings" in the context of Batson/Edmonson.
Despite the res nova character of this issue in this Court, the jurisprudence shows that Louisiana's Second, Third, and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeal have commented upon or addressed instances where "gut feelings" were relied upon to support the exercise of a peremptory challenge. In State v. Ford, 26,422 (La.App. 2 Cir. 9/21/94), 643 So.2d 293, a reverse Batson, gender discrimination case (the defense peremptorily challenged all six white males on the jury venire), the reviewing court stated:
|1sAs to the third juror, defense counsel offered that it had a "gut feeling, a discomfort," and the court found this was not a neutral explanation.
In Batson, a concurring justice stated that " 'seat-of-the-pants instincts' may often be just another term for racial prejudice." 476 U.S. at 106, 106 S.Ct. at 1728 (Marshall, J., concurring). Federal courts have held that when the prosecutor states only that she has a "feeling" about the potential juror, this is not a legitimate explanation/ ] An Alabama court has specifically held that the prosecutor's "gut feeling" about a venire member is not a neutral explanation. Ex parte Bird, 594 So.2d 676, 684 (Ala. 1991). Given that defense counsel did not attempt to offer any clear and reasonably specific reason for challenging Mr. Ferguson, the trial court was not plainly wrong to reject this challenge under the principles of Batson and McCollum, supra. The trial court, after all, has great discretion in accepting or rejecting the explanation of the party who used the peremptory challenge. Batson, 476 U.S. at 98, 106 S.Ct. at 1724 (fn.21); State v. Powell, 598 So.2d 454, 461 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied 605 So.2d 1089 (1992).
State v. Ford, 643 So.2d at 298; (Federal appellate citations omitted). See also State v. White, 36,935 (La.App. 2 Cir. 6/6/03), 850 So.2d 751, 767, writ denied, 03-2616 (La.5/14/04), 872 So.2d 510 (finding, "[t]he comment that counsel has a 'feeling' about a particular juror is not a sufficiently race-neutral explanation.").
The Third Circuit, citing State v. Ford, discussed "gut feelings" in State v. Miller, 95-857 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1/31/96), 670 So.2d 420, 425. In Miller, the appellate court upheld the trial court's denial of a Batson challenge presented in a gender discrimination setting. Although the trial and appellate courts upheld the State's peremptory challenge, finding characteristics other than gender justified the Instate challenge, both these courts commented that "gut feelings" about potential jurors is not a valid reason for excluding them. State v. Miller, 670 So.2d at 425.
Finally, in State v. Givens, 04-0765 (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/27/04), 888 So.2d 329, writ denied, 04-2919 (La.3/18/05), 896 So.2d 1003, cert. denied, — U.S. —, 126 S.Ct. 154, 163 L.Ed.2d 154 (2005), the Fourth Circuit distinguished State v. Ford, 643 So.2d at 293. It found that although a subjective feeling, such as a "gut feeling," is not an adequate, neutral explanation for a strike, the State's explanation in the present case passed muster because it did not focus on the prosecutor's feelings, but rather on the potential jurors' equivocation on the amount of evidence they needed to convict an alleged offender of rape. State v. Givens, 888 So.2d at 337-38. Thus, the appellate court concluded it was not solely presented with trial counsel's "gut feeling."
After reviewing the appellate jurisprudence that has addressed "gut feeling" explanations, we agree that although "gut feelings" may factor into the decision to utilize a peremptory challenge, this reason, if taken alone, does not constitute a race-neutral explanation. We find such a reason as "gut feeling" is most ambiguous and inclusive of discriminatory feelings. Such an all inclusive reason falls far short of an articulable reason that enables the trial judge to assess the plausibility of the proffered reason for striking a potential juror. Whatever is causing the "gut feeling" should be explained for proper evaluation of the proffered reason. Batson made it clear the neutral explanation must be one which is clear, reasonably specific, legitimate and related to the particular case at bar. Id., 476 U.S. at 97-98, 106 S.Ct. at 1723. When thus proffered, a Batson/Edmonson evaluation can be made based upon Batson's complementary requirements. First, the party asserting the Batson/Edmonson challenge must be afforded a full and fair opportunity to demonstrate pretext in the explanation of the proponent of the peremptory strike. Secondly, for the trial judge Unto fulfill its duty under Batson/Edmonson "to assess the plausibility" of the proffered reason for striking a potential juror "in light of all evidence with a bearing on it," it is essential that the proponent of the peremptory strike fully articulate his reasons as best he can so that a proper assessment can be made. "Rubber stamp" approval of any non-racial explanation, no matter how whimsical or fanciful, would destroy Bat- son/Edmonson's objective to ensure that no citizen is disqualified from jury service because of his race. State v. Collier, 553 So.2d at 821. "If trial courts were required to find any reason given not based on race satisfactory, only those who admitted point-blank that they excluded veniremen because of their race would be found in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection." Id.
It is only after the reasons for the use of a peremptory challenge have been presented which on their face are racially neutral, that an issue of fact is joined. Thereafter, the trial court must assess the weight and credibility of the explanation in order to determine whether there was purposeful discrimination in the use of the challenge. Miller-El, 545 U.S. at 239, 125 S.Ct. at 2325. In the present case, despite Alex's rebuttal of Rayne Concrete's professed "gut feeling," the trial court did not assess the weight and credibility of Rayne Concrete's "gut feelings" explanation. Rather, the trial court merely accepted the explanation because it was racially neutral on its face. Accordingly, we find the trial court failed to perform the third step of the Batson/Edmonson analysis and its ruling in favor of Rayne Concrete's peremptory challenge to Chariot was manifestly erroneous.
Notwithstanding this error, we find it is unnecessary to remand this case to the trial court for a hearing on this issue and for application of the correct standard. Even if the trial court had applied the correct standard, Rayne Concrete's sole reliance on its "gut feelings" was insufficient to rebut the prima facie showing of discrimination. [^Not only did Alex voice a challenge to Rayne Concrete's rejection of Chariot on a peremptory challenge, but he refuted Rayne Concrete's proposed race-neutral reason by articulating that the voir dire examination showed Chariot could be fair and impartial just like the other non-black jurors. Moreover, although there is no requirement that a litigant question a prospective juror during voir dire, the jurisprudence holds that the lack of questioning or mere cursory questioning before excluding a juror peremptorily is evidence that the explanation is a sham and a pretext for discrimination. Miller-El, 545 U.S. at 246, 125 S.Ct. at 2328, quoting Ex parte Travis, 776 So.2d 874, 881 (Ala.2000); State v. Collier, 553 So.2d at 823, n. 11, citing In re Branch, 526 So.2d 609 (Ala.1987). The purpose of voir dire examination is to develop the prospective juror's state of mind not only to enable the trial judge to determine actual bias, but to enable counsel to exercise his intuitive judgment concerning the prospective jurors' possible bias or prejudice. Trahan v. Odell Vinson Oil Field Contractors, Inc., 295 So.2d 224, 227 (La.App. 3 Cir.1974). It is evident in the context of Batson/Edmonson that trial and appellate courts should consider the quantity and quality of either party's examination of the challenged venire member and to view the use of this tool as a means for the judiciary to ferret out sham justifications for peremptory strikes. In the present case, the failure of Rayne Concrete to engage in any voir dire examination of Chariot, when coupled with its purely intuitive basis for her exclusion, is further evidence its explanation is a sham and a pretext for discrimination.
For the above reasons, we affirm the judgment of the court of appeal and hold the trial court was manifestly erroneous in granting a peremptory challenge against prospective juror Chariot.
| ^ALLOCATION OF FAULT AND DAMAGES
In addition to urging reversal of the appellate court's Batson/Edmonson ruling, Rayne Concrete contends the appellate court erred in failing to conduct a harmless error analysis to determine whether the exclusion of the juror was harmless, and in apportioning 80% fault to Rayne Concrete. We also granted and consolidated Alex's writ applications, which alleged the court of appeal erred in conducting a de novo review, in admitting certain medical records, in apportioning 20% fault to Alex, in its assessment of damages, and further in taxing 20% of the costs of the appeal to Alex. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 05-2520 (La.5/5/06), 927 So.2d 299. Finding no merit to Rayne Concrete's harmless error assertion, but finding a principled basis for Alex's request for a remand for a new trial, we pretermit discussion of the other remaining issues raised.
The threshold issue is Rayne Concrete's assertion that even if the trial court erred in allowing it to exercise a peremptory challenge with regard to Chariot, such error was harmless. We disagree. Errors regarding discrimination in the composition of the grand jury or petit jury are not harmless. Cf. Vasquez v. Hillery, 474 U.S. 254, 263-64, 106 S.Ct. 617, 623, 88 L.Ed.2d 598 (1986) (holding that racial discrimination in petit jury selection is a structural error not subject to harmless error analysis); State v. Carmouche, 2001-0405 (La.5/14/02), 872 So.2d 1020, 1049.
Next, we must consider whether the appellate court properly chose to conduct a de novo review instead of remanding this case to the trial court for a new trial. At the heart of its decision not to remand, the appellate court recognized this was the third jury trial of this matter and further considered the loss of judicial time and assets in the past and possibly in the future. For that reason and because the record of the atrial before it was complete, it conducted a de novo review and rendered a decision accordingly. Alex v. Rayne Concrete Service, 915 So.2d at 937.
La.Code Civ. Proo. Ann. art. 2164 provides that an "appellate court shall render any judgment which is just, legal and proper upon the record on appeal." It is well settled that an appellate court is empowered under this article to remand a case to the district court for the taking of additional evidence where it is necessary to reach a just decision and to prevent a miscarriage of justice. Vallo v. Gayle Oil Company, Inc., 94-1238 (La.11/30/94), 646 So.2d 859, 866. Although a court should always remand a case whenever the nature and extent of the proceedings dictate such a course, whether or not any particular case should be remanded is a matter which is vested largely within the court's discretion and depends upon the circumstances of the case. Jones v. LeDay, 373 So.2d 787, 789 (La.App. 3 Cir.1979).
As noted above, racial discrimination in petit jury selection is a structural error. Vasquez, 474 U.S. at 263-64, 106 S.Ct. at 623. Moreover, in addition to its overhaul of the manner in which courts treated and analyzed the exercise of peremptory challenges, Batson, as extended by its progeny, made the following fundamental observations that impact our decision regarding the propriety of the appellate court's choice not to remand this matter for a new trial: (1) Discriminátion in selection of jurors harms not only the accused whose life or liberty interest they are summoned to try; (2) By denying a person participation in jury service on account of his race or gender, the state unconstitutionally discriminates against the excluded juror; (3) The harm from discriminatory jury selection extends beyond that inflicted on the defendant and the excluded juror to touch the entire community; and (4) Selection procedures that purposefully exclude persons from juries for reasons of race or gender | ¡,4undermine public confidence in the fairness of our system of justice. Batson, 476 U.S. at 88, 106 S.Ct. 1712; Edmonson, 500 U.S. at 629, 111 S.Ct. 2077; J.E.B., 511 U.S. at 140, 114 S.Ct. 1419.
In the present case, it cannot be gainsaid that this matter has been tried to three separate juries and that because of that procedural history, under most circumstances it may have been appropriate for the appellate court to conduct a de novo review. See, e.g., Gonzales v. Xerox Corp., 254 La. 182, 320 So.2d 163 (1975). However, in light of the structural error involved, the impact on the excluded juror, and the harm to our system of justice, consideration of judicial economy must yield to the greater legal principles involved. See Masse-Richardson v. Samudia, 05-987 (La.App. 3 Cir. 3/15/06), 925 So.2d 722. Accordingly, we find the appellate court erred when it conducted a de novo review of the record. We reverse and set aside that part of the appellate court decision that examined the evidence anew, reallocated fault, and reassessed damages and court costs. Therefore, this matter is remanded to the trial court for a new trial.
CONCLUSION
A party in a civil case may seek review of a trial court judgment on a Batson/Edmonson ruling by supervisory writ under La.Code Civ. PROC. Ann. art. 2201 or on appeal after a final judgment in the case is rendered under La.Code Civ. Proc. Ann. art. 2083. In this case, the court of appeal was correct to consider the Bat-son/Edmonson ruling on appeal and in its ultimate conclusion that the reasons set forth by Rayne Concrete in support of the peremptory challenge against prospective jurors Thomas and Jordan were sufficient. However, Rayne Concrete's reasons were not sufficient as to Chariot to meet the standard set by Batson/Ed-monson. Because the trial court was manifestly erroneous in finding Alex did not carry his burden of proving purposeful discrimination as to juror Chariot, the court of appeal erred inj^conducting a de novo review of the record and in rendering judgment. Instead, we must remand this matter so the trial court can conduct a new trial.
DECREE
For the reasons stated herein, the judgment of the court of appeal is affirmed, in part, reversed in part, and the case is remanded to the trial court for a new trial.
AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED IN PART; REMANDED TO TRIAL COURT.
CALOGERO, Chief Justice, concurs in the result and assigns reasons.
JOHNSON, Justice, concurs in part, dissents in part and assigns reasons.
VICTORY, Justice, dissents in part and assigns reasons.
TRAYLOR, Justice, concurs in part and dissents in part and assigns reasons.
WEIMER, Justice, concurs in part and dissents in part and assigns reasons.
CALOGERO, Chief Justice,
Concurs in the Result and Assigns Reasons.
LI concur in the result. My preference would be to apply this court's decision in Gonzales v. Xerox Corp., 254 La. 182, 320 So.2d 163 (1975), and have this court perform a de novo review and render judgment on the evidence after reversing the district court's rejection of the defendant's Batson/Edmonson challenge, as the court of appeal did in this case. In light of the factual differences between the two cases, I am not convinced that the United States Supreme Court's decision in Vasquez v. Hillery, 474 U.S. 254, 106 S.Ct. 617, 88 L.Ed.2d 598 (1986), necessarily requires that this court remand this civil case for new trial simply because the district court improperly rejected defendant's Bat-son/Edmonson challenge relative to potential members of the jury. The Vasquez case involved a criminal' indictment issued by a grand jury from which African-Americans had been unlawfully excluded. That being the case, the majority's reliance on Vasquez is misplaced, since the structural error versus trial error dichotomy is more traditionally applied in criminal cases.
Thus, under ordinary circumstances, I would dissent from the portion of the majority opinion remanding this case to the district court for new trial before a properly-constituted jury. However, this case involves a close division among the justices, with three who would reverse and remand for a new trial, and three who would find that the district court properly rejected defendant's Batson/Edmonson challenge and reinstate the district court judgment. Because I agree that the district | ¡.court erred when it rejected defendant's Batson/Edmonson challenge, I am concurring in the decision of the justices who would remand for a new trial, rather than joining the dissenters who wish to reinstate the district court judgment. In order to allow the case to move forward, I take this position rather than persist in my view that we should simply perform a de novo review and render judgment on the evidence. I prefer ordering a new trial (although that is inconsistent with Gonzales v. Xerox Corp.), to reinstating the district court judgment because that judgment is based on a verdict from a jury from which all African-Americans were systematically excluded.
. Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986); Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Co., Inc., 500 U.S. 614, 111 S.Ct. 2077, 114 L.Ed.2d 66f0 (1991).
. The Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation intervened seeking to recover indemnity and medical benefits paid to Alex as a result of this work-related injury.
. The trial court found the jury's assessment of fault contrary to the law and the evidence.
. At oral argument, plaintiff's counsel explained his objective was a new trial in a different venue.
. As Article 2201 does not provide standards or criteria for an attorney's applying for or a court's granting or denying such applications, the jurisprudence is the primary source of guidance in the preparation and handling of "supervisory writs." Maraist and Lemmon, § 14.3 at 116. These commentators have outlined the guidelines used by appellate courts in granting or denying supervisory writ applications:
Generally, a court of appeal will initially consider whether the ruling complained of may, as a practical matter, be corrected on appeal. If so, the ruling does not cause irreparable injury, and the application usually will be denied on that basis, without extensive consideration of the merits of the application. But if the ruling cannot as a practical matter be corrected on appeal, the court usually will proceed to consider and determine the merits of the application, and if the ruling was correct, the application will be denied on the merits. But if the ruling was incorrect, the court can grant the application and, within the discretion of the court, either summarily reverse or modify the ruling or set the matter down for oral argument and an opinion.
In addition to the existence of irreparable injury as a grounds for full consideration of an application for supervisory writs, there is a jurisprudentially adopted second set of grounds for a court of appeal to determine the merits of the application and to grant or deny on the merits. The Supreme Court has jurisprudentially established guidelines for an appellate court's consideration of supervisory writs on the merits, despite the fact that the error can be corrected on appeal, in certain situations where judicial efficiency and fundamental fairness dictate such action.
The Supreme Court has instructed the appellate courts to exercise supervisory jurisdiction when (1) an appellate reversal will "terminate the litigation," (2) there is no dispute of fact to be resolved, and (3) the trial court decision is "arguable incorrect." Herlitz Constr. Co. v. Hotel Investors of New Iberia, Inc., 396 So.2d 878 (La.1981). Although these guidelines were formulated in the context of the exercise of supervisory jurisdiction to consider the merits of a ruling denying an exception of no cause of action, the Supreme Court's test should apply to an intermediate court's review of any interlocutory ruling. See, e.g., Chambers v. LeBlanc, 598 So.2d 337 (La. 1992) (review of a lower court judgment overruling exception of venue); Badon v. Koppenol, 424 So.2d 1237 (La.App. 1 Cir. 1982) (review of a trial court judgment denying a motion for summary judgment).
Id.., § 14.7, p. 404 (1999) and p. 116 (2006 Pocket Part).
. "In the interests of judicial efficiency and fairness to the parties, an appellate court in its discretion may review an interlocutory or final judgment pursuant to its supervisory jurisdiction, even though the judgment also could be reviewed pursuant to an appeal." Uniform Rules of the Courts of Appeal, Rule 4-3, Revision Comment.
Further, when the court of appeal grants an application for supervisory writs and renders judgment, either peremptorily or after briefing and oral argument, the decision of the court of appeal will be the "law of the case" in subsequent proceedings in that matter. Maraist and Lemmon, § 14.17, p. 405 (1999); Day v. Campbell-Grosjean Roofing & Sheet Metal Corp., 260 La. 325, 256 So.2d 105, 107 (1971). However, a denial by the court of appeal of an application for supervisory writs does not prevent the appellate court from reconsidering the matter on appeal after trial on the merits. Id.
. The transcript quotes defense counsel saying, "She [Ms. Chariot] and I just didn't get revised." In brief, defense counsel contends his words were transcribed inaccurately, and what was really said was "She and I just didn't get good vibes." Counsel for plaintiff has not disagreed with defense counsel's sug-gestión
. Edmonson v. Leesville Concrete Co., Inc., 500 U.S. 614, 111 S.Ct. 2077, 114 L.Ed.2d 660 (1991), recognized Batson was applicable in civil cases. Although in the present case, the trial court expressed the erroneous view Batson was inapplicable in civil cases, he nevertheless allowed the parties to make a record and ruled on the issue for subsequent appellate review.
. We note that although there was a colloquy between the trial court and counsel for the respective parties on the interjected Batson/Edmonson challenge, the record is void of a formal pronouncement of the trial court, denying the challenge. Where a trial court's ruling is silent with respect to any demand which was at issue, such silence constitutes an absolute rejection of such demand. VaSalle v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 2001-0462 (La.11/28/01), 801 So.2d 331, 337.
. From the outset, we note the appellate court erroneously stated the trial court committed legal error when it denied the Bat-son/Edmonson objection as to Chariot. Because a trial judge's findings pertaining to purposeful discrimination turn largely on credibility evaluations, such findings should be entitled to great deference by a reviewing court. State v. Collier, 553 So.2d 815, 818 (La. 1989). Accordingly, this Court has held that a trial court's rulings regarding discriminatory jury selection are entitled to great deference and will not be overturned absent a finding of manifest error. State v. Elie, 05-1569 (La.7/10/06), 936 So.2d 791.
. Louisiana criminal law codifies the Batson ruling in La.Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 795(C), which provides:
No peremptory challenge made by the state or the defendant shall be based solely on the race of the juror. If an objection is made that the state or defense has excluded a juror solely on the basis of race, and a prima facie case supporting that objection is made by the objection party, the court may demand a satisfactory racially neutral reason for the exercise of the challenge, unless the court is satisfied that such reason is apparent from the voir dire examination of the juror. Such demand and disclosure, if required by the court, shall be made outside of the hearing of any juror or prospective juror.
There is no like provision in our Code of Civil Procedure. Batson was made applicable to civil trials in Edmonson, supra. As Batson itself is applicable, so are the later United States Supreme Court cases interpreting Batson. See Miller-El v. Dretke, supra; Rice v. Collins, 546 U.S. 333, 126 S.Ct. 969, 163 L.Ed.2d 824 (2006). Because Edmonson made Batson applicable to civil trials, we find it appropriate to not only rely upon later Supreme Court jurisprudence, but also to apply the Batson analysis codified in La.Code Crim. Proc Ann art. 795(C) in the civil trial setting.
. Our research further shows that in State v. Collier, 553 So.2d 815, we commented on the duty to come forward with a neutral explanation for challenging a juror. Speaking in generalities, we stated, "This explanation may be something less than justification of a challenge for cause, but must be something more than the prosecutor's assumption or intuition that the juror will be partial to the defendant because of their shared race." Id.., 553 So.2d at 820. As in Seals and Elie, although the Collier court spoke of assumptive or intuitive explanations, it was not directly faced with such an explanation. Thus, those comments, too, were obiter dictum.
. The requirements of Batson/Edmonson apply equally to defendants, and the State is equally permitted to challenge a defendant's unconstitutional exercise of peremptory challenges. Georgia v. McCollum, 505 U.S. 42, 112 S.Ct. 2348, 120 L.Ed.2d 33 (1992).
. See J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel. T.B., 511 U.S. 127, 114 S.Ct. 1419, 128 L.Ed.2d 89 (1994) (holding that "gender, like race, is an unconstitutional proxy for juror competence and impartiality'').
. See United States v. Horsley, 864 F.2d 1543, 1546 (11th Cir.1989) (holding that an attorney's unsupported intuitive feeling is an insufficient race-neutral reason for a peremptory strike); Brown v. Kelly, 973 F.2d 116, 121 (2d Cir. 1992) (quoting statement from Horsley that mere feeling is not sufficient race-neutral explanation), cert. denied, 506 U.S. 1084, 113 S.Ct. 1060, 122 L.Ed.2d 366 (1993); United States v. Casper, 956 F.2d 416, 418 (3d Cir.1992)(quoting same statement from Horsley). But see United States v. Bentley-Smith, 2 F.3d 1368, 1375 (5th Cir.1993), stating:
An attorney who claims that he or she struck a potential juror because of intuition alone, without articulating a specific factual basis such as occupation, family background, or even eye contact or attentiveness, is more vulnerable to the inference that the reason proffered is a proxy for race. That is not to say, however, that the reason should be rejected out of hand; that is a call for the judge to make, based upon his or her evaluation of such things as the demeanor of counsel, the reasonableness of the justifications given, and even the court's personal observation of the venireman.
. The district court apportioned fault 45% to Alex, 50% to Rayne Concrete, and 5% to LCS. The jury further awarded Alex $40,000 in general damages, $13,000 in past medical expenses, $13,000 in future medical expenses, $10,000 in past lost wages, and nothing for future lost wages.