Opinion ID: 1697707
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Juror Excused

Text: Bigham next argues that the trial court improperly allowed the State to excuse a potential juror for cause. A potential juror may be excused for cause on a number of grounds, including that the juror has a state of mind regarding the case that will prevent the juror from acting with impartiality. § 913.03(10), Fla. Stat. (2005). Excusal for cause is justified if reasonable doubt exists whether the juror can be impartial. Ault v. State, 866 So.2d 674, 683 (Fla.2003). An individual may not serve as a juror in a capital case if his or her views on the death penalty prevent or substantially impair the performance of his or her duties as a juror in accordance with the juror's instructions or oath. Fernandez v. State, 730 So.2d 277, 281 (Fla. 1999). In this case the juror in question declared during voir dire that as a Christian she could not sit in judgment of anyone. She also answered affirmatively the question of whether her experience would prevent her from being fair and impartial. She further stated that she would prefer to recommend life and only that she would try to follow the law. Although the juror later seemed to qualify her prior statements and suggested she could be impartial and follow the law, we conclude there was enough hesitation and equivocation for the trial court to exercise its discretion and allow the State to challenge her for cause.