Opinion ID: 1148242
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Command of Batson.

Text: In Batson v. Kentucky, supra , the United States Supreme Court finally accepted the oft-extended invitation to reassess the viability of the rule of law protecting minority defendants from the systematic exclusion through peremptory challenge of minority veniremen from jury panels. Specifically, Batson appeared before the high court for reexamination of that portion of Swain v. Alabama, 380 U.S. 202 [85 S.Ct. 824, 13 L.Ed.2d 759] (1965), concerning the evidentiary burden placed on a criminal defendant who claims that he has been denied equal protection through the State's use of peremptory challenges to exclude members of his race from the petit jury. 476 U.S. at 82, 106 S.Ct. at 1714, 90 L.Ed.2d at 77. Approaching the issue from an equal protection slant rather than the fair cross-section argument proposed by Batson's attorneys, the Court held, in pertinent part, that ... a defendant may establish a prima facie case of purposeful discrimination in selection of the petit jury solely on evidence concerning the prosecutor's exercise of peremptory challenges at the defendant's trial. To establish such a case, the defendant must first show that he is a member of a cognizable racial group. Castaneda v. Partida, supra, [430 U.S. 482], at 494, 51 L.Ed.2d 498, 97 S.Ct. 1272 [1280], and that the prosecutor has exercised peremptory challenges to remove from the venire members of the defendant's race. Second, the defendant is entitled to rely on the fact, as to which there can be no dispute, that peremptory challenges constitute a jury selection practice that permits those to discriminate who are of mind to discriminate. Avery v. Georgia, supra [345 U.S. 559], at 562, 97 L.Ed. 1244, 73 S.Ct. 891 [892]. Finally, the defendant must show that these facts and any other relevant circumstances raise an inference that the prosecutor used that practice to exclude the veniremen from the petit jury on account of their race. This combination of factors in the empanelling of the petit jury, as in the selection of the venire, raises the necessary inference of purposeful dsicrimination. 476 U.S. at 96, 106 S.Ct. at 1722-23, 90 L.Ed.2d at 87. (emphasis added). See also, U.S. v. Mathews, 803 F.2d 325 (7th Cir.1986). It is thus clear under Batson's express terms that a defendant raising a Batson claim must show 1. That he is a member of a cognizable racial group; 2. That the prosecutor has exercised peremptory challenges toward the elimination of veniremen of his race, and 3. That facts and circumstances infer that the prosecutor used his peremptory challenges for the purpose of striking minorities. In sum, these components constitute the prima facie showing of discrimination necessary to compel the state to come forward with a neutral explanation for challenging black jurors. [1] Batson, 476 U.S. at 97, 106 S.Ct. at 1723, 90 L.Ed.2d at 88. We need not engage in a careful analysis of Lockett's zeal in raising this issue in light of the prosecutor's voluntary adherence to that part of Batson dealing with expression of his motives for minority challenges. We thus assume for purposes of this opinion that a prima facie showing was made, triggering the mandate that the prosecutor present `a clear and reasonably specific' explanation of his `legitimate reasons' for exercising the challenges. Id., 476 U.S. at 98, n. 20, 106 S.Ct. at 1723, n. 20, 90 L.Ed.2d at 88, n. 20. These explanations form the object of our scrutiny. They do not, however, clearly answer an equally important threshold question centering in the scope and form of review by which we should conduct our analysis. Batson clearly places upon the trial court the duty to determine whether purposeful discrimination has been shown and likens this fact to analogous findings in a Title VII sex discrimination suit. These findings largely turn on credibility and thus Batson states that ordinarily, a reviewing court should give the trial court great deference. Id. at 98, 106 S.Ct. at 1724, 90 L.Ed.2d at 89, n. 21. Great deference has been defined in the Batson context as insulating from appellate reversal any trial findings which are not clearly erroneous. United States v. Mathews, supra; Gamble v. State, 257 Ga. 325, 357 S.E.2d 792, 794 (1987); State v. Butler, 731 S.W.2d 265, 271 (Mo. Ct. App. 1987); Yarbough v. State, 732 S.W.2d 86, 91 (Tex. Ct. App. 1987); Rodgers v. State, 725 S.W.2d 477, 480 (Tex. Ct. App. 1987); Chambers v. State, 724 S.W.2d 440, 442 (Tex. Ct. App. 1987). We today follow the lead of other courts who have considered this issue and hold that a trial judge's factual findings relative to a prosecutor's use of peremptory challenges on minority persons are to be accorded great deference and will not be reversed unless they appear clearly erroneous or against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. This perspective is wholly consistent with our unflagging support of the trial court as the proper forum for resolution of factual controversies. Where the judge makes findings of fact. See, e.g., Ford v. Lamar Life Ins. Co., 513 So.2d 880 (Miss. 1987) (chancellor's finding of fact will not be disturbed on appeal unless manifestly wrong); Brown v. Williams, 504 So.2d 1188 (Miss. 1987) (same); Dillon v. Dillon, 498 So.2d 328, 330 (Miss. 1986) (same); Country Club of Jackson v. Saucier, 498 So.2d 337, 339 (Miss. 1986) (same); Wiley v. State, 465 So.2d 318, 320 (Miss. 1985) (same); Cf., Neal v. State, 451 So.2d 743, 756 (Miss. 1984) (same); See also, Merrill v. State, 482 So.2d 1147, 1151 (Miss. 1986) (citing Neal v. State ); Where the trial court determines the reliability of an in-court identification. See e.g., Ray v. State, 503 So.2d 222, 223-24 (Miss. 1986) (We may, of course, disturb such a finding only where there is an absence of substantial credible evidence supporting it.); Compare, J.L. Teel Co., Inc. v. Houston United Sales, Inc., 491 So.2d 851, 859 (Miss. 1986) (a circuit court's finding of fact will not be disturbed if there be substantial supporting evidence.).