Opinion ID: 154173
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Exclusion of Three Prospective Jurors.

Text: 24 The fourth paragraph of Instruction No. 2 states “[i]f and only if the jury finds that one or more specified aggravating factors outweigh the mitigating factors, the jury then should proceed to the fourth step.” R. Vol. IV, Vol. 2 at 389. The first paragraph of Instruction No. 5 directs the jury to “decide whether the prosecution has proven that any factors in aggravation outweigh any factors in mitigation.” Id. at 394. The last paragraph of Instruction No. 5 echoes this: “If all jurors unanimously agree that the aggravating factor or factors found to exist outweigh the mitigating factors . . . then you shall continue your deliberations . . . .” Id. The first paragraph of Instruction No. 7 similarly states, “[i]f in the third step of your deliberations you have made unanimous findings that the aggravating factor or factors found to exist outweigh the mitigating factors . . . .” Id. at 397. Finally, the third paragraph of Instruction No. 9 states clearly: “In order to return a verdict of death, you must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that any aggravating factor or factors which are found to exist outweigh any mitigating factor or factors and that the death penalty is the appropriate penalty.” Id. at 400. -57- Mr. Davis’s final argument in support of his habeas petition is that the trial court erroneously excluded three prospective jurors from the panel because of their stated qualms about capital punishment. “[A] juror may not be challenged for cause based on his views about capital punishment unless those views would prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance with his instructions and his oath.” Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 420 (1985) (quoting Adams v. Texas, 448 U.S. 38, 45 (1980)). A trial judge’s determination of a potential juror’s bias under the Witt/Adams standard is a factual finding entitled to the presumption of correctness contained in 28 U.S.C. 2254(d). Witt, 469 U.S. at 428-29; see also Antwine v. Delo, 54 F.3d 1357, 1369 (8th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 116 S. Ct. 753 (1996). In making a determination as to impartiality, the trial judge’s “predominant function . . . involves credibility findings whose basis cannot be easily discerned from an appellate record.” Witt, 469 U.S. at 429; see also United States v. Tipton, 90 F.3d 861, 880 (4th Cir. 1996) (“Because what is being inquired into is a state of mind whose determination turns largely on assessments of demeanor and credibility, matters peculiarly within the province of trial judges, our review of those determinations is appropriately most deferential.”). Three prospective jurors were excused for cause: Thelma Wolfe, Michael Bradbury and Abie Olivas. We have carefully read the entire transcript of the voir dire of each prospective juror. Although Ms. Wolfe did state that, if under oath, she would follow the law, in response to more detailed questioning from the prosecutor and the -58- judge, she stated at least nine times that she did not believe in the death penalty and did not think she could impose it on anyone. R. Vol. V, Vol. 21 at 1085, 1086, 1089, 1090, 1092, 1093, 1097. Mr. Bradbury similarly responded that he could make various findings if his oath to follow the law so required it, but he stated quite clearly at least seven times that he did not believe in the death penalty and could not impose it on anyone. R. Vol. IV, Vol. 17 at 222, 223, 225, 226, 232. He even expressed his disagreement with the Colorado law permitting the imposition of the death penalty. Id. at 223. Given the deferential standard with which we review the trial judge’s finding that these two jurors were not impartial, we cannot say that the court erred in excusing them for cause. Prospective juror Olivas was also excused for cause, not because of stated views generally about the death penalty, but because he stated that his experience with and his views about alcohol would prevent him from ever imposing the death penalty in an alcohol-related crime. Mr. Davis argues that the removal of Mr. Olivas from the jury pool amounted to the removal of a juror who would consider alcohol as a mitigating factor. However, Mr. Olivas’s views went further than that: MR. GRANT: If you hear evidence about him being under the influence of alcohol, is it a situation where you’re not going to be able to consider whether aggravating factors exist? MR. OLIVAS: No, I won’t be able to. MR. GRANT: You won’t be able to think about any aggravating factors, all you have to hear is alcohol as a mitigating factor and you won’t weigh anything against it, you will automatically vote for life? -59- Mr. OLIVAS: That’s right. R. Vol. V, Vol. 23 at 1503. Later in his voir dire, Mr. Olivas reiterated his views: MR. TRUMAN: If the judge were to instruct you what the law is concerning alcohol as a mitigating factor, could you follow the law? Mr. OLIVAS: Yes, only to a certain extent. Life in prison, 200 years in prison, but not the death penalty. MR. TRUMAN: So it’s your opinion that if a man’s drinking or drunk when he does something, that he ought not to get the death penalty? MR. OLIVAS: That’s right, because if alcohol is involved, I don’t think the death penalty. Id. at 1510. Again, given our deferential standard for reviewing a trial court finding of bias, we cannot conclude that the trial court erred in excusing Mr. Olivas.