Opinion ID: 2106520
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Improper Exclusion of Prospective Jurors

Text: Turning to the issues appellant expressly raises herein, his first claim is that the trial court erroneously excluded for cause six prospective jurors on the basis that each would be unable to impose the death penalty. Appellant claims that they should not have been excused for cause because they did not have sufficient reservations about their ability to impose the death penalty in order to warrant their exclusion. We do not agree. It is well settled that a prospective juror may be excluded for cause when his views on capital punishment are such as would prevent or substantially impair the performance of his duties as a juror in accordance with his instructions and oath. Commonwealth v. Holland, 518 Pa. 405, 410, 543 A.2d 1068, 1073 (1988). Furthermore, absent an abuse of discretion, a trial court's ruling on a challenge for cause, based upon prospective juror's answers and demeanor during voir dire will not be disturbed on appeal. Commonwealth v. AbuJamal, 521 Pa. 188, 193, 555 A.2d 846, 851 (1989). Here, the voir dire transcript demonstrates that the six individuals in question took the following positions when asked about their ability to impose the death penalty: