Opinion ID: 1801524
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Defendant's Challenges of Jurors Byrd, Kittams, Doggett, Lamb, Moe and Brandon

Text: Defendant here contends that the trial court erred by denying his challenges for cause directed at the above-named jurors, thereby denying him a fair and impartial jury and requiring him to give up his right to a jury. Defendant is not saying here that because the challenges were denied he did not get a fair trial before the trial judge presiding without a jury. He is obviously claiming that because the challenges were denied, and he did not have enough peremptory challenges remaining (defendant had used up eight), he could not hope to obtain a fair and impartial jury to hear his case, thereby causing him to give up his right to a jury trial. The important issue here is whether the trial judge acted properly, and within the limits of his discretion, in the denial of these six challenges. A thorough study of the voir dire examination reveals that all of these jurors were extensively questioned concerning their qualifications to sit as a juror in defendant's case, particularly by counsel for defendant, as well as by the state and the trial judge. While all of the jurors admitted to exposure to much of the publicity attendant with the incident, all declared that they would set aside such things and would judge the defendant's innocence or guilt only on the evidence and the instructions of the court. The case of State v. Flack, 77 S.D. 176, 181, 89 N.W.2d 30, 32 (1958) is dispositive of defendant's claim of error here. This court there said: In denying the challenges the trial court determined the questioned jurors could and would, notwithstanding their opinions, act fairly and impartially. This finding was made on conflicting evidence indicating both disqualification and competency to act as jurors. In each case the trial court's conclusion was based on a consideration of the entire voir dire examination and also upon the intangible manifestations of impartiality reflected by the juror's appearance, conduct, and demeanor in the courtroom. We cannot try a challenge de novo on the record alone. Our review is limited to a question of law. The ruling of the trial court will not be disturbed, except in the absence of any evidence to support it, in which case it becomes an error at law. `When the evidence of each juror is contradictory in itself, and is subject to more than one construction, a finding by the trial court either way upon the challenge is conclusive on appeal.' 4 Cal.Jur.2d, § 603, p. 483. In the present case the evidence of each challenged juror was contradictory and subject to more than one construction. The rulings of the trial court on such conflicting evidence are, therefore, binding on this court. It is important to note here that it is the trial judge's function to determine the existence of the juror's state of mind. This, necessarily, is a fact finding function and, as State v. Flack, supra, indicates, the court is vested with broad discretion. If there is evidence to support the trial court's ruling on the challenge for cause this court should not disturb that ruling. Only where there is no evidence to support the trial court's ruling can this court interfere. It is stated at 47 Am.Jur.2d, Jury, § 221: [W]hen a full examination of a juror leaves the question of his competency doubtful, the appellate courts generally leave the ruling of the trial court undisturbed. Having been denied the six challenges for cause, and with only two peremptory challenges remaining, defendant made a decision to waive the jury. In doing so, he executed the following document: I, Russell Means, have been informed of my constitutional right to a trial by a fair and impartial jury. This is a knowledgeable waiver which is freely and voluntarily executed; no promises nor threats have been made to me; and I am under no pressure from any individual to execute this waiver. As co-counsel in this case, I believe it is impossible for me to obtain a fair and impartial adjudication by jury in this action. By waiving his right to a jury trial prior to the exhaustion of all of his peremptory challenges, the defendant has waived his objection to the challenged jurors. State v. Belt, 79 S.D. 324, 111 N.W.2d 588 (1961); State v. Flack, supra. The evidence here supports the trial court's ruling on the six challenges for cause, and therefore that ruling may not be disturbed.