Opinion ID: 2512108
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prospective Juror A.D.

Text: On his juror questionnaire, A.D., a 68-year-old African-American, did not answer questions about his views on the death penalty, and said he would need more information about a case before expressing any view on life without parole. He marked not sure when asked how he would vote on a ballot measure to adopt the death penalty. On voir dire, when first asked whether he personally could ever vote to execute a person, A.D. said he would have to look deep inside of me to really see whether that would be possible. A.D. said he was reminded that the justice system had dealt too slowly and leniently with the man who killed his daughter in a car accident, and he [did not] know if he could be impartial in listening to witnesses. But when asked if the experience in his daughter's case predisposed him to the death penalty, he responded, No, no, no, no. I'd probably be inclined to vote for life without parole. A.D. said he was thinking of his own 35-year-old son, who was very quiet, but who might do something he regretted if cornered with no means of retreat. When asked if he thought these feelings would affect his ability to choose between the two penalties, A.D. answered, Well, at the moment, yes. At this point, the court said, I think we have a Wainwright versus Witt, and the prosecutor responded, Clearly. However, defense counsel was allowed to pursue the matter further. When counsel suggested that what I think I hear you saying is that you wonder whether or not you could ever vote for the death penalty, A.D. agreed. When counsel asked if it was possible the facts could convince A.D. to agree to that penalty, A.D. answered that [i]f I said yes to that right now, I feel like I would be committing myself without first hearing the evidence. When counsel suggested that, even if A.D.'s son would have some impact, A.D. would consider both penalties and make a decision based on the facts, A.D. merely responded, The instructions of the judge, I will have to consider both penalties. The court thereupon granted the prosecutor's challenge for cause, noting, over defense counsel's objection, that A.D.'s demeanor supported the decision. Though defendant earnestly argues otherwise, the court's decision is amply supported. In several different ways, during questioning by both court and counsel, A.D. expressed serious doubts that he had the ability ever to impose the death penalty, or that it was possible the facts could persuade him otherwise. That he finally agreed he would have to follow the court's instructions if sworn as a juror does not indicate he believed he was actually able to do so. The court did not err in excusing this juror.