Opinion ID: 1959682
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Removal of Veniremembers for Cause

Text: Johnson alleges the trial court erred in, granting the State's challenge for cause for prospective jurors Green, Leiter, Corcoran, and Alley. He argues that their views on the death penalty would not substantially impair their ability to participate in the deliberative process during the penalty-phase. The trial court's ruling on a challenge for cause shall not be disturbed on appeal unless it is against the weight of the evidence and constitutes a clear abuse of discretion. State v. Taylor, 134 S.W.3d 21, 29 (Mo. banc 2004). A venireperson may be excluded from the jury if his view would substantially impair or prevent the performance of his duty as a juror. Id. If it appears that a juror cannot consider the range of punishment, apply the correct burden of proof, or follow the court's instructions in a murder case, then a challenge for cause will be sustained. Id. A juror's uncertainty about his ability to follow the law in a capital case along with an equivocal statement that he cannot sign a verdict of death can be a basis for the trial court to exclude him from the jury. Id. 29-30. Additionally, when there is ambiguity in a prospective juror's statements, the trial court, which is aided by its assessment of a juror's demeanor, is entitled to resolve the ambiguity in favor of the State. Uttecht v. Brown, ___ U.S. ___, 127 S.Ct. 2218, 2223, 167 L.Ed.2d 1014 (2007).