Opinion ID: 2035760
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: FRANCES McBEE

Text: The State based its peremptory challenge against McBee on the following grounds: (1) McBee's aunt was under psychiatric care and there would be psychiatrists testifying for the State in this case; (2) she was inattentive during questioning by the judge; and (3) she was inappropriately dressed for the courtroom. Defendant contends that the State's reliance on a family member's being under psychiatric care as a reason for striking McBee is pretextual because the State accepted as jurors Louis MacDonald, Alfreda Beherns, Charles Hiterlider, and Loretta Buchanan, all of whom had family members that had undergone psychiatric care. Initially, we note that since MacDonald was excused for cause by the judge and thus did not serve on the jury, he will not be considered by this court in determining whether the State's explanation is legitimate and race-neutral. Moreover, the mere fact that the State challenges a black venireperson for a reason which is equally applicable to a white juror does not show in and of itself that the offered explanation is pretextual. This court has held: [I]n many instances there will be no single criterion that serves as the basis for the decision whether to excuse a particular venireman. A characteristic deemed to be unfavorable in one prospective juror, and hence grounds for a peremptory challenge, may, in a second prospective juror, be outweighed by other, favorable characteristics. ( People v. Mack (1989), 128 Ill.2d 231, 239, 131 Ill. Dec. 551, 538 N.E.2d 1107.) Consequently, a peremptory challenge may be based on a combination of traits. A particular trait that justifies exclusion of a venireperson can be acceptable in a juror who has a different combination of traits which distinguish that juror from those peremptorily challenged. For example, a venireperson possessing an unfavorable trait may be accepted as a juror while another venireperson possessing that same negative trait, but also possessing other negative traits, may be challenged. Mitchell, 152 Ill.2d at 295, 178 Ill.Dec. 354, 604 N.E.2d 877. In this case, one of the factors relied on by the State to exclude McBee was that she had a family member undergoing psychiatric care. This is the only factor, however, which McBee shared with jurors Beherns, Hiterlider, and Buchanan. Because the State relied on a combination of factors to exclude McBee, she was not similarly situated with the white jurors. McBee possessed other undesirable traits which distinguished her from these jurors. McBee was inattentive during voir dire and sloppily dressed. Furthermore, McBee had a son physically injured as a result of a violent crime. These distinguishing characteristics were sufficient to explain the State's alleged inconsistency in accepting Beherns, Hiterlider, and Buchanan as jurors while rejecting McBee. When viewed together, the State's reasons are legitimate and race-neutral. Defendant further contests the State's contention that McBee believed her aunt's psychiatric care had been unsuccessful. Defendant argues that this contention is false and a mere pretext for excluding McBee from the jury. Defendant contends that McBee offered no opinion as to the success of her aunt's psychiatric care. Although McBee may not have given an opinion as to her aunt's care, the State's concern was not simply McBee's connection with a psychiatrist. This factor, in conjunction with the other factors previously cited, prompted the State to challenge her. The combination of undesirable traits likewise distinguishes McBee from the jurors. As a result, we reiterate that the State's explanation in regard to McBee's exclusion is not pretextual.