Opinion ID: 1325306
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Venireman Duplissey.

Text: Gray assigns error to the trial court's refusal to exclude venireman William Duplissey for cause. [7] Duplissey is a former police officer, having served for 15 years in the County of Nansemond and the City of Suffolk. He later served as a security guard at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. His occupation at the time of trial did not involve police or security duties. He last testified in court in 1974. On voir dire, he stated that he could render a fair and impartial verdict based on the evidence. A person is not automatically excluded from a jury because of an association with law enforcement personnel, provided he demonstrates that he can be impartial. Clozza v. Commonwealth, 228 Va. 124, 129, 321 S.E.2d 273, 276 (1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 1230, 105 S.Ct. 1233, 84 L.Ed.2d 370 (1985). Whether a venireman should be excluded from a jury is a matter within the sound discretion of the trial court. Because the trial court observes the venireman, its finding is entitled to great weight and will not be disturbed on appeal unless manifest error exists. Watkins v. Commonwealth, 229 Va. at 480, 331 S.E.2d at 431-32; Calhoun v. Commonwealth, 226 Va. 256, 258-59, 307 S.E.2d 896, 898 (1983). Duplissey's answers on voir dire support the trial court's finding that, notwithstanding his previous employment in police work, he would be fair and impartial. Thus, we cannot say the court abused its discretion in refusing to strike Duplissey for cause.