Opinion ID: 1501117
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Venireperson Kathleen P.

Text: The prosecutor stated the following reason for striking Kathleen P.: YOUR HONOR, concerning Venireperson Kathleen [P.], Juror No. 170, I earlier observed of this juror, I believe in the context of Batson race neutral hearing, that I thought her attitude was inappropriately casual and lackadaisical. In that when asked about the death penalty, according to my notes and recollection, she first said, well, if a defendant poses any danger, then the death penalty might be what he deserves, which is a qualification I wasn't comfortable with because almost by definition if somebody is going to be in prison for life without parole, they no longer constitute a danger. And the first thing I recall her saying about that was that if someone constitutes a danger, that might be what he deserves. And then when Ms. Kraft asked could you consider life without parole, she said she thought that might be appropriate, quote-unquote. Her attitude of casually flipping back and forth as if life or death were not a matter of great concern for her as to which was chosen caused me to think that she didn't regard the proceedings with the appropriate seriousness. I felt that she was flaky and that her responses were not credible. And since the prosecution must get all twelve, I didn't want someone who seemed to be eccentric and overly casual on the jury, and that was my reason for striking this potential alternate juror, Kathleen [P.], your honor. Inattentiveness, demeanor and attitude are proper gender-neutral explanations. State v. Antwine, 743 S.W.2d 51, 67 (Mo. banc 1987); State v. White, 913 S.W.2d 435, 437 (Mo.App.1996).