Opinion ID: 1058543
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: use of religious tests during voir dire

Text: The defendant contends that the removal for cause of those jurors who could not commit to the imposition of the death penalty based upon religious, moral or philosophical views violates article I, section 6 of the Tennessee Constitution. The supreme court affirmed this court's holding in State v. Reid , that the exclusion of prospective jurors by a trial court because of their moral or religious based reluctance to impose the death is not error. 91 S.W.3d at 289-90. In this regard, potential jurors are removed for cause not because of their religious opinion or affiliation but because the jurors are unable to view the proceedings impartially and perform their duties in accordance with the juror's oath. Id. at 290. Questioning of a juror with regard to the death penalty does not amount to a religious test. Id. (citing Wolf v. Sundquist, 955 S.W.2d 626, 631 (Tenn.Ct.App.1997), app. denied (Tenn.1997)). The defendant is not entitled to relief on this issue.