Opinion ID: 1513630
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: failure to strike veniremen

Text: Scherrer argues that because he had to use three of his peremptory challenges to strike jurors who should have been excluded for cause, he was forced to allow an objectionable juror to be seated. In order to preserve this point for appeal, an appellant must have exhausted his peremptory challenges and must show that he was later forced to accept a juror who should have been excused for cause. Watson v. State, 289 Ark. 138, 709 S.W.2d 817 (1986); Hill v. State, 275 Ark. 71, 628 S.W. 2d 284, 285 (1982). The sixth amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees a criminal defendant the right to unbiased and unprejudiced jurors. See Haynes v. State, 270 Ark. 685, 606 S.W.2d 563 (1980). The burden is on the party challenging the juror to prove actual bias. Fleming v. State, 284 Ark. 307, 681 S.W.2d 390 (1984). When a juror states that he can lay aside preconceived opinions and give the accused the benefit of all doubts to which he is entitled by law, he qualifies as impartial under constitutional requirements. Glover v. State, 248 Ark. 1260, 455 S.W.2d 670 (1970). A defendant is not entitled to a trial before jurors completely ignorant of the alleged crime. Burnett v. State, 287 Ark. 158, 697 S.W.2d 95 (1985), rev'd on other grounds, Midgett v. State, 292 Ark. 278, 729 S.W.2d 410 (1987). After Scherrer exhausted his peremptory challenges, the trial court seated juror Rathey as the twelth and final juror. At this point, Scherrer objected by stating that he would strike Rathey if he had a peremptory challenge. From the voir dire testimony, there is no evidence that Rathey was biased. In fact, he indicated that he understood the presumption of innocence and would follow the law as explained by the court. Although Rathey stated that he had heard about the case on television, this in itself is not sufficient cause for removal. Id. There is no merit in Scherrer's contention that an objectionable juror was forced upon him.