Opinion ID: 2369367
Heading Depth: 6
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prospective Juror M.D.W.

Text: The prosecutor exercised his seventh peremptory challenge against M.D.W., and defendant made a Batson / Wheeler motion. Like M.L.W., M.D.W.'s juror questionnaire indicated she was a religious person but could set aside those beliefs for jury duty. M.D.W. indicated the death penalty was appropriate for a person who deliberately and maliciously causes severe harm to others, but the death penalty should only be used in instances where there can be no rehabilitating and other people are at risk. The questionnaire also indicated M.D.W.'s aunt was charged with a crime and her children were taken away from her when the aunt's boyfriend killed one of the children in his care. Despite the emotional nature of that situation, M.D.W. felt justice was served. On voir dire, M.D.W. acknowledged that rehabilitation was just one possible factor in determining the appropriate penalty. The trial court again ruled there was no prima facie showing of discrimination, citing M.D.W.'s concerns about rehabilitation; the trial court also noted her own awareness of being a highly opinionated person. The prosecutor acknowledged M.D.W. had given correct verbal answers but he felt she actually would be unable to vote for death. The prosecutor then exercised three more peremptory challenges without objection.