Opinion ID: 1922714
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to grant Hughes's motion to quash the venire.

Text: ¶ 61. Hughes argues that the trial court erred in failing to grant his motion to quash the venire based on the fact that both the Warners and the shootings were well known within the community of Winston County. ¶ 62. Thirty-five of the fifty panel members had heard something about the case, three of whom admitted being impacted by what they had heard. Twelve of the fifty actually knew the Warners. In overruling Hughes's motion to quash, the trial judge stated: . . . [O]ut of all those excused for cause, there are only about three of them were [sic] affected at all by what was stated in the community, and after extensive voir dire, the people that had a relationship with the Warners or knew people in this case said that they could listen to the evidence and be fair and impartial in this case and that they did, all acknowledged that they would not even feel embarrassed or have to explain their decision to anybody after consideration of the case. ¶ 63. The decision to quash the venire rests in the sound discretion of the trial court. Kolberg v. State, 829 So.2d 29, 83 (Miss.2002) (citing Evans v. State, 725 So.2d 613, 649 (Miss.1997)). The linchpin is whether the venire members stated that they could be fair and impartial jurors if chosen. Howell v. State, 860 So.2d 704, 720 (Miss.2003) (quoting Simon v. State, 688 So.2d 791, 803 (Miss.1997)). ¶ 64. The venire members were questioned about their exposure to publicity about the case and their relationship with, or knowledge of, the Warners. Impaneled jury members who had such exposure or knowledge indicated that they could be fair and impartial. See Simon, 688 So.2d at 804. Accordingly, we find that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying Hughes's motion to quash.