Opinion ID: 2582586
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Kansas Procedure

Text: The Kansas procedure to determine our issue is set out in State v. Hood, 242 Kan. 115, 744 P.2d 816 (1987). Hood was tried and convicted prior to the United States Supreme Court's decision in Batson. In the appeal, which postdated the Batson decision, the Hood court observed that Batson required a trial court initially to decide if the circumstances concerning the prosecutor's use of peremptory challenges created a prima facie case of discrimination against black jurors. If the trial court determined that a prima facie case had been made, then the State must articulate its race-neutral explanation, following which the trial court then would have the duty to determine if the defendant has established purposeful discrimination. Once the prima facie case of discrimination is made, the burden shifts to the State; if the State does not come forward with a satisfactory race-neutral explanation for the exercise of its peremptory challenges, the prima facie showing of discrimination stands, and a new jury must be selected. The Hood court noted that it appeared that the trial court, at the time it gave the State an opportunity to explain its peremptory challenge, made no record that a prima facie showing had been made. The Hood court determined to make no finding as to that, or as to whether the reasons apparent upon the record, or known to counsel or the court, for the removal of the only black jurors by the State by peremptory challenge were sufficient to counteract the defendant's showing of purposeful discrimination. It pointed out that an appellate court does not see or hear the examination of the jurors. It observed that since Batson had not been handed down at the time of trial, neither the trial court nor counsel could have been aware of the decision, and the prosecutor may well have had neutral reasons or further explanation to make to the trial court as to its exercise of the prosecution's peremptory challenges. The Hood court held that under such circumstances, the case must be remanded to the trial court not for further evidence but for further proceedings and argument, based upon the record and counsel's recollection, as to the propriety of the peremptory challenges exercised by the State. The trial court must then make the determinations required by Batson. Hood, 242 Kan. at 123. Because of the unique procedure used here by the trial judge to determine the propriety of the State's removal of black panel members from the jury pool and because there is no record to be reviewed by an appellate court, we are therefore required to remand for a proper Batson hearing. The trial court hearing on remand does not involve the presentation of further evidence, but argument may be made before the trial court, based upon the trial record and counsel's recollection, as to the propriety of the peremptory challenges. If the trial court is unable to make a fair determination as required by Batson, it must grant the defendant a new trial. Remanded with directions.