Opinion ID: 1152586
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: death qualification of the jury

Text: Two jurors were excused for cause from the members of the venire called for Caldwell's trial, after they expressed their objections to the imposition of the death penalty. Caldwell argues that this exclusion denied him the right to a fair and impartial jury. In Witherspoon v. Illinois, 391 U.S. 510, 88 S.Ct. 1770, 20 L.Ed.2d 776 (1968), the United States Supreme Court held that a fair and impartial jury must include jurors who have conscientious scruples against the death penalty. However, we do not read that holding as mandating the inclusion of jurors who indicate that they could not impose the death penalty even where it is mandated by law. The defendant is entitled to be sentenced by a fair and impartial jury; however, the state is entitled to a jury that can follow the instructions and juror's oath. Gray v. State, 472 So.2d 409 (Miss. 1985). See also Cabello v. State, 471 So.2d 332 (Miss. 1985); Jordan v. State, 464 So.2d 475 (Miss. 1985); Jones v. State, 461 So.2d 686 (Miss. 1984). We find no error in the exclusion of jurors Barnes and Henderson.