Opinion ID: 2630726
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Prospective Juror Wit

Text: Juror Wit stated that she had been arrested for domestic violence nine years previously. She spent a couple of days in jail, and the charges were dismissed. She indicated that she was treated fairly and does not harbor animosity toward the police or district attorney. She also stated that her arrest would not affect her deliberation and that she could be fair and impartial. As reasons for striking Juror Wit, the prosecutor gave the same rationale that she gave for striking Juror Bri. Juror Wit had been arrested for domestic violence, a type of crime that comes down to one person's word against another's. The prosecutor felt that such a history would make it difficult for Juror Wit to remain impartial. The prosecutor pointed out that of the other prospective jurors, only Juror Bri, who was also struck, had a domestic violence arrest. Other prospective jurors who were arrested, but who served on the jury, were arrested for DUIs. Because Juror Bri was arrested for and convicted of domestic violence, and the prosecutor struck him from the jury, this demonstrates that the prosecutor was actually concerned about the type of crime for which prospective jurors were arrested. Other prospective jurors who were arrested but who served on the jury were arrested for DUIs. Therefore, comparing Juror Wit to other similarly situated prospective jurors gives rise to the conclusion that the State's reasons for striking Juror Wit were not pretext for discrimination.