Opinion ID: 1835766
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Rozlynne Black

Text: In assignment of error 21, defendant argues that potential juror Rozlynne Black was also impermissibly excused for cause. Although not an employee at the time of trial, Black had worked at Harmony House, a juvenile correctional facility at which the defendant previously resided, during the time the defendant was a resident. Defendant asserts that Black's excusal was erroneous because her voir dire testimony indicated that she had no bias for or against the defendant. While at Harmony House, Black had been employed in a clerical position, which required her to type social evaluations, psychiatric evaluations, and discharge summaries. She testified that she did know the defendant on sight, but that she did not know him personally. She also testified that she knew some of the individuals who were to be called as witnesses in the trial who were also Harmony House employees. She stated, however, that her relationship with them would not cause her to be biased. She further stated that although she did not remember specifically dealing with any of the defendant's records, upon hearing witness testimony, her memory of psychiatric and social evaluations might be refreshed. She acknowledged that this testimony could trigger the recollection of certain facts about the defendant's case which may not be admissible and would therefore place her in a different position than other jurors who would not be privy to the same information. The state or the defendant may challenge a juror for cause on the ground that the relationship, whether by ... employment,... or enmity between the juror and the defendant ... is such that it is reasonable to conclude that it would influence the juror in arriving at a verdict. La. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 797(3) (West 1998). Nevertheless, the mere relationship between a prospective juror and a defendant is not itself grounds for a challenge for cause. State v. Mills, 505 So.2d 933, 945 (La.App. 2d Cir.1987), writ. denied, 508 So.2d 65 (La. 1987). In a proper challenge for cause, the facts must reasonably lead to the conclusion that the relationship would influence the juror in arriving at a verdict. Id. Consequently, this Court has held that a challenge for cause should be granted even if the juror declares an ability to remain impartial, when the juror's response reveals facts from which bias, prejudice, or impartiality may be reasonably inferred. State v. Albert, 414 So.2d 680 (La.1982). A charge of juror bias may be removed if the court is satisfied that the juror can render an impartial verdict according to the evidence and instructions given by the court. State v. Gibson, 505 So.2d 237 (La.App. 3d. Cir.1987), writ. denied, 508 So.2d 66 (La.1987). Likewise, no error is committed by a trial court's refusal to dismiss a juror who expressed some reservation about accepting the law when, after additional questioning, the juror assures the trial court that she could apply the applicable law and give the defendant a fair trial. State v. Munzy, 464 So.2d 1040 (La.App. 1st Cir. 1985), writ. denied, 468 So.2d 1203 (La.1985). Although Black declared that she was able to remain impartial, her responses revealed facts from which bias, prejudice, and impartiality could be reasonably inferred. Significantly, Black acknowledged that her employment with Harmony House could have triggered her recollection of certain facts pertaining to the defendant which may not have been admissible at trial. This is indeed a fact from which bias can be reasonably inferred despite Black's stated ability to remain impartial. Therefore, we find assignment of error 21 to have no merit.