Opinion ID: 1577692
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Strikes for Cause

Text: Appellant challenges the trial court's rulings with respect to six jurors, claiming that it erred in striking four jurors and in refusing to strike two others. A potential juror should be excused for cause only when the juror cannot conform his/her views to the requirements of the law and render a fair and impartial verdict. Ratliff v. Commonwealth, 194 S.W.3d 258, 266 (Ky.2006). See also RCr 9.36(1). With respect to capital cases in particular, a prospective juror must be struck for cause if his views of capital punishment would prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance with his instructions and his oath. Adams v. Texas, 448 U.S. 38, 45, 100 S.Ct. 2521, 2526, 65 L.Ed.2d 581 (1980). The decision whether to excuse a juror for cause lies within the sound discretion of the trial court: [D]eference must be paid to the trial judge, who sees and hears the juror, in reviewing determinations of impropriety of challenges for cause. Penman v. Commonwealth, 194 S.W.3d 237, 252 (Ky.2006).