Opinion ID: 1501117
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Venireperson Mary Patricia M.

Text: The initial reason given by the prosecutor for striking Mary Patricia M. was that he did not like her attitude toward the death penalty because she had indicated that she leaned towards life. When Mary Patricia M. was asked whether she could consider a life sentence, she emphasized that she could without a doubt. Brown objected and indicated that there was nothing in the record to show that Mary Patricia M. said anything about leaning towards life. Then, the prosecutor stated that his second reason is because of Mary Patricia M.'s occupation. The prosecutor stated: Ms. [Mary Patricia M.'s] listed her occupation as health educator; in response to a question at the time of voir dire said she had been in community education for five years. As a general rule, as a prosecutor now for 15 years I have always thought that those who were in helping, caring professions such as people who work for the department of social services or in some similar capacity are frequently not good bets as prosecution venirepersons. So part of my reason for striking Ms. [Mary Patricia M.] related to her occupation as well as what I perceived as her inclination against the death penalty. Peremptory strike of a venireperson because of employment has been held to be acceptable. See State v. Jones, 979 S.W.2d 171, 185 (Mo. banc 1998). The reason is sufficiently gender-neutral as to support the denial of Brown's challenge.