Opinion ID: 1264824
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dismissal of Juror 21 Was Proper

Text: In his pro se brief, Elmore asserts error regarding the dismissal of juror 21. Because Elmore objected to the State's for-cause challenge to juror 21 during voir dire, we will address this assertion of error. The State challenged juror 21 for cause and the trial court dismissed her because her responses to questions, from both the prosecutor and defense counsel, indicated her religious convictions would not allow her to impose the death penalty. See 7 Report of Proceedings at 1111, 1113. [6] The record indicates juror 21's religious convictions foreclosed her consideration of the death penalty. Under such circumstances, her dismissal was proper. State v. Brett, 126 Wash.2d 136, 157, 892 P.2d 29 (1995) (juror may be excused for cause if his views would prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance with his instructions and his oath), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 1121, 116 S.Ct. 931, 133 L.Ed.2d 858 (1996); Gentry, 125 Wash.2d at 634-36, 888 P.2d 1105 (trial court's dismissal of prospective juror in capital case will not be reversed on appeal absent a manifest abuse of discretion); State v. Mak, 105 Wash.2d 692, 705-08, 718 P.2d 407, cert. denied, 479 U.S. 995, 107 S.Ct. 599, 93 L.Ed.2d 599 (1986), sentence vacated on writ of habeas corpus on other grounds, sub nom. Mak v. Blodget, 754 F.Supp. 1490 (W.D.Wash.1991), aff'd, 970 F.2d 614 (9th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 951, 113 S.Ct. 1363, 122 L.Ed.2d 742 (1993) (prospective juror who stated that she could not impose death penalty due to a religious belief demonstrated actual bias against death penalty, and was properly removed for cause).