Opinion ID: 1725949
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: whether the reasons proffered by the state for exercising its peremptory challenges were pretextual or race-neutral?

Text: ¶ 4. We give great deference to the trial court's findings of whether or not a peremptory challenge was race neutral. Simon v. State, 679 So.2d 617, 621 (Miss.1996). Such deference is necessary because finding that a striking party engaged in discrimination is largely a factual finding and thus should be accorded appropriate deference on appeal. Hernandez v. New York, 500 U.S. 352, 367-68, 111 S.Ct. 1859, 114 L.Ed.2d 395 (1991); Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 573-75, 105 S.Ct. 1504, 84 L.Ed.2d 518 (1985). Indeed, we will not overrule a trial court on a Batson ruling unless the record indicates that the ruling was clearly erroneous or against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Lockett v. State, 517 So.2d 1346, 1350 (Miss.1987). ¶ 5. As stated supra, determining whether there has been a Batson violation involves a three step process. The second step of the process entails submission by the state of a race neutral reason for striking a particular juror. At this point, the trial judge should accept the reason if it appears valid on its face. Hernandez, 500 U.S. at 360, 111 S.Ct. 1859. The state's reason shall be deemed facially valid unless the prosecutor's explanation embodies inherent discriminatory intent. Id. After affording the defendant an opportunity to rebut, the trial court should proceed to the third step of Batson and determine whether or not the opponent of the strike has proven intentional discrimination. Batson, 476 U.S. at 98, 106 S.Ct. 1712. At this stage, the trial court determines if the reasons given by the prosecution were pretexts for intentional discrimination. ¶ 6. The trial judge in the case sub judice submitted an eleven page finding of facts in which the judge reviewed the state's reasons for each of its strikes and determined that they were not racially motivated. Since these issues are not dispositive herein, we do not address the individual strikes.