Opinion ID: 1707183
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Juror Merideth.

Text: ś 132. Evans argues that the trial court should have granted the defense challenge for cause on the basis that Meridith had extensive knowledge about the case and indicated that she believed Evans was guilty. Juror Meridith did sit on the jury. ś 133. Juror Meridith had extensive knowledge about the case, including Evans' escape from jail and the fact that Beatrice's body was maintained in storage for two years. Moreover, Meridith indicated that she believed Evans was guilty. Meridith stated that this opinion was confirmed after the defense attorneys stated that they expected that Evans would be proven guilty. However, Meridith indicated that she had reached no opinion as to Evans' punishment. Upon further questioning by the trial judge, Meridith stated that she could set her knowledge of the case aside. ś 134. Evans' challenge for cause was overruled by the trial court. Evans later renewed the challenge for cause and his motion for additional peremptory challenges summarizing as follows: The problem is that there are others down the list that we know we're going to get to that we feel are more worthy of our peremptory challenges than perhaps Ms. Merideth. I mean, we basically are caught in a catch 22 in this matter. That in order to preserve our objection to Ms. Merideth we've got to strike her peremptorily. The problem is if we do there are some down the list that we know we absolutely do not want. The trial court overruled Evans' motion and urged counsel to file the motion again at such time as any are exhausted, all 12 are exhausted and there's a compelling reason otherwise.... Defense counsel then accepted Merideth. ś 135. At the time Evans challenged Merideth for cause, he had six remaining peremptory challenges. Evans, however, made a strategic decision to retain Merideth and not exercise a peremptory challenge which may have been better utilized on another juror. Any prejudice which may have occurred from Merideth's presence on the jury is obviated by the fact that defense counsel, during voir dire, repeatedly conceded that the State of Mississippi could prove Evans' guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Although Merideth had firm opinions about Evans' guilt which were confirmed by statements by defense counsel, she repeatedly indicated that she had no opinions about Evans' punishment. ś 136. The trial court cannot now be put in error for Evans' strategic decisions. This issue is without merit.