Opinion ID: 1542243
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 18

Heading: Denial of Challenge of Juror Drury.

Text: During empanelment of the jury, a member of the panel, Mr. Drury, was challenged for cause as being disqualified for jury service because he was a deputy constable. It is contended that the statutes of Missouri, sec. 699, R.S.Mo.1939, Mo.St.Ann. § 8748, p. 4692, prevents such service. That section exempts but does not disqualify a constable to serve as a juror. The language is that no such officer shall be compelled to serve as juror. The statute extends a privilege but does not state a compulsion. This is emphasized by other sections (sections 742, 758 and 807, R.S.Mo. 1939, Mo.St.Ann. §§ 8787, 8803, 8745j, pp. 4711, 4716, 4691) which set forth that None of the following persons shall be permitted to serve as jurors (italics added). Drury was examined by the court as to whether the fact that he was a law enforcement officer might influence him or whether he felt any prejudice in favor of the Government or against an accused person in a criminal case. He was peremptorily challenged by appellants later. There is no contention as to any prejudice through denial of the challenge for cause.