Opinion ID: 2594735
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prospective Jurors Excused for Cause

Text: A juror whose views on capital punishment would `prevent or substantially impair the performance of [the prospective juror's] duties as a juror in accordance with the instructions and oath' may be excluded for cause. ( Wainwright v. Witt (1985) 469 U.S. 412, 424, 105 S.Ct. 844, 83 L.Ed.2d 841; see People v. Guzman (1988) 45 Cal.3d 915, 955, 248 Cal. Rptr. 467, 755 P.2d 917 [same standard applicable under California Constitution].) Here, the trial court excused four prospective jurors after finding that their ability to perform their duties was impaired by their opposition to the death penalty. Defendant faults trial counsel for not asking rehabilitating questions in an attempt to establish that these particular individuals were qualified to serve as jurors. When, as here, prospective jurors indicate they would have difficulty imposing the death penalty, but their answers are somewhat ambiguous, defense counsel may reasonably conclude from the answers given that the ability of each prospective juror to follow the law was substantially impaired, and that additional rehabilitative questioning would be futile. Alternatively, counsel may conclude that further questioning might provide additional indications of the prospective juror's unwillingness to impose the death penalty, thus increasing the likelihood of getting a juror favorable to the defense excused. ( People v. Memro, supra, 11 Cal.4th at p. 819, 47 Cal.Rptr.2d 219, 905 P.2d 1305; People v. Tuilaepa (1992) 4 Cal.4th 569, 587, 15 Cal. Rptr.2d 382, 842 P.2d 1142.) Under these circumstances, counsel cannot be said to have rendered ineffective representation. ( People v. Memro, supra, at pp. 818-819, 47 Cal.Rptr.2d 219, 905 P.2d 1305.)