Opinion ID: 2378907
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alleged Voir Dire Errors

Text: Shurn first complains that trial counsel failed to ask the jurors about their ability to remain impartial after viewing gruesome photographs. The motion court found that trial counsel's inquiry during voir dire was strategic and that because Shurn did not dispute the manner of death but only his responsibility for it, this alleged error did not prejudice him. This Court agrees, and notes that trial counsel did ask some jurors whether such pictures would prejudice them. Shurn next contends that trial counsel was ineffective for failing to ask venireperson Smith about her statement that her ex-husband got off a homicide charge. The motion court disagreed, finding that trial counsel sufficiently questioned her. The transcript indicates that the motion court's conclusion was not clearly erroneous, because trial counsel asked her several questions about the homicide charge, including whether she could be fair and have an open mind in Shurn's trial.