Opinion ID: 2460227
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Venireperson Brown

Text: Johnston challenges the trial court's action in sustaining the State's motion to dismiss venireperson Brown for cause. Brown stated unequivocally that he could not, under any circumstances, consider voting to impose the death penalty. In later questioning, Brown equivocated and said that he might be able to vote for the death penalty. The court acted within its discretion in dismissing Brown for cause, recognizing that his responses were illogical and inconsistent and that he would not be a a reliable juror. Deferring to the trial judge's superior ability to assess a potential juror's demeanor, we find no abuse of discretion. Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. 412, 424-426, 105 S.Ct. 844, 852-852, 83 L.Ed.2d 841 (1985); State v. Feltrop, 803 S.W.2d 1, 7 (Mo.banc 1991).