Opinion ID: 1869014
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Counsel's Inadequate Voir Dire of Jurors

Text: Conner next contends that counsel's voir dire of the jury was inadequate; to wit, although voir dire covered fifty-three pages of the transcript, his attorney's questioning fills only three pages. The circuit court and the prosecution thoroughly questioned the jury on all matters, particularly with regard to its scruples about the death penalty. Conner's attorney then queried prospective jurors about any prejudices they might harbor against a black man accused of murdering an elderly white woman; whether they could consider the case objectively without being swept away by the emotional impact of the crime committed; and if they could listen to both sides of the case with an open mind. Conner relies on Moody v. State, 644 So.2d 451 (Miss. 1994) for the proposition that counsel's failure to conduct a lengthy voir dire renders his assistance ineffective. In contrast to the case sub judice, where Conner's attorney asked questions which supplemented those posed by the court and the prosecution, the attorney for Moody and Garcia merely stated, I have no voir dire for the jury. The record indicates that any additional questioning of the jurors by Conner's attorney would have been redundant. Moreover, Conner does not indicate that he was prejudiced by his attorney's failure to conduct a more extensive voir dire. Accordingly, there is no merit to this issue.