Opinion ID: 2502498
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Motion to Strike Prospective Juror

Text: The Appellant alleges that the circuit court erred in denying his motion to strike a potential juror, David Smallwood, for cause. Specifically, the Appellant argues in his brief that the potential juror was predisposed to make a recommendation of no mercy verdict. The Appellant contends that the juror stated that it would be unlikely that I would feel any mercy but I would have to, you know, I would have to hear the case through. The juror also said that he is a strong proponent of the death penalty and believes that West Virginia should adopt it as a sentence. Because the circuit court refused to grant the Appellant's motion, he was forced to use a peremptory strike to eliminate the juror. In contrast, the Appellee maintains that Juror Smallwood indicated that he favored a state law permitting the death penalty, but he acknowledged that West Virginia does not have the death penalty, that he could grant mercy and that he would have to listen to the facts of the case before making a decision. The abuse of discretion standard of review is used in deciding juror disqualification issues based on bias and prejudice. O'Dell v. Miller, 211 W.Va. 285, 288, 565 S.E.2d 407, 410 (2002). As the Court held: When considering whether to excuse a prospective juror for cause, a trial court is required to consider the totality of the circumstances and grounds relating to a potential request to excuse a prospective juror, to make a full inquiry to examine those circumstances and to resolve any doubts in favor of excusing the juror. Id. at 287, 565 S.E.2d at 409, Syl. Pt. 3; see State v. Gilman, 226 W.Va. 453, 462, 702 S.E.2d 276, 285 (2010). A review of the record reveals that Juror Smallwood told the circuit court that it was his belief that West Virginia should have a death penalty. When questioned further about West Virginia not having the death penalty and whether, in light of that, Juror Smallwood could recommend mercy, the juror responded: I have to, you know, hear the case. I don't know if I could stand here and give that decision at this very time but it would probably be unlikely that I would feel any mercy but I would have to, you know, I would have to hear the case through. Based upon an examination of the entire voir dire of Juror Smallwood, the Court finds that the circuit court did not err in denying the Appellant's motion to strike the juror for cause.