Opinion ID: 1247651
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Prospective Juror Ragan

Text: Prospective juror Ragan initially stated that she had mixed feelings about and was troubled by the death penalty. When asked if she could consider a sentence of death if the jury found defendant guilty, she said, I could consider [the death penalty], but I would have a hard time  well, I would weigh both sides of it, but I think I would have a very hard time actually saying yes to the death penalty. She later added, I have a hard time imagining something that I would think so awful that I would go with the death penalty. The trial court asked Mrs. Ragan several clarifying questions, to which she responded in part, [t]he whole issue of the death penalty has troubled me for a long time, and it's not something I have absolutely formed an opinion about even before I ever walked into this courtroom today. It has always been something that I thought should only be imposed under extreme circumstances.... I have a very difficult time coming up with aggravating circumstances so great that I would feel that the death penalty would need to be imposed. The trial court then denied the State's challenge for cause, stating, I don't really know or understand what her position is on what. Thereupon, the prosecutor asked several additional questions of juror Ragan: [PROSECUTOR]: Have you already formed an opinion as to what  MRS. RAGAN: Yes, I've already formed an opinion. Yes. [PROSECUTOR]: If he was found guilty of first-degree murder? MRS. RAGAN: Yes. I would want to go with life in prison, I'm afraid. The trial court then allowed the State's challenge for cause.