Opinion ID: 2632351
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Juror 31 - M. Berry

Text: The prosecutor asserted to the district court that Berry was struck because she knew another juror on the panel, Juror 15, M. Smith. The prosecutor contended that he disapproved of having people on a jury who know each other. Berry was also allegedly struck because the prosecutor had, a few years before, lived very close to her. The prosecutor was concerned that although he did not recognize Berry, she might at some point during the 5-day trial be influenced as a result of his having lived in the same neighborhood, through conversations with neighbors. Bolton rebutted the prosecutor's explanation in part by claiming that another juror, Juror 28, A. Valdez, who was not struck, also knew another juror on the panel, Juror 14, M. Oropeza. The State, in its brief, refutes Bolton's contention that jurors were treated differently, by alluding to the fact that the reason the State did not strike Valdez is because Oropeza had already been struck. It cannot be determined from the record which party struck Oropeza from the panel. The State contends the reason for removing a juror for knowing another juror on the panel is negated when either juror is struck. This reasoning is consistent with the prosecutor's assertion at the hearing that he did not like to have people on a jury who know each other. It must be noted that Smith, unlike Valdez, did not serve on the final jury and was also struck by the State. The State notes, however, that at the time Berry was struck, Smith was still a member of the panel. The situation with Berry and Smith differed because Berry was struck for knowing Smith and then Smith was struck for a different reason. Although this may have been an orchestrated move by the prosecution, there is no indication that jurors in the same situation were treated differently. Additionally, there were other reasons why Berry was struck. The State also points out in its brief that Berry made comments at voir dire that raised suspicion as to her ability to keep emotions and other outside influences from entering her decision. When asked whether any juror did not feel he or she would be able to be fair and impartial with observers in the courtroom, Berry indicated she was feeling sympathy. Berry stated: At this time, I really feel that I could [sic] be impartialI mean, I just don't think I could. I just feel, therefore, a lot of emotion now and it'sI feel sick. .... Sick, I don'tI feel that I don't want to do it. I don't want to make Later, when asked whether Berry could wait to hear all the evidence before deciding the case, Berry responded, II'm not sure. I think I could, but I wouldn't want to. Berry also stated, however, that if she took an oath she would try to do her best to hear all the evidence before making her decision.