Opinion ID: 1649620
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 31

Heading: Failure to lodge Batson objections.

Text: ¶ 38. Brown argues that counsel failed to preserve Batson objections during jury selection when the prosecutor was asked to justify the use of a peremptory challenge against two black jurors. See Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986). In determining whether a party improperly used a peremptory challenge to discriminate against a potential juror, the movant must first make a prima facie case of discrimination by showing that race was the criterion for the exercise of challenge. Stewart v. State, 662 So.2d 552, 557-58 (Miss.1995). In the present case, the prosecution responded that, of the first twelve jurors tendered, the State had accepted three out of four blacks in that panel and that the record did not support a finding that the challenges were racially motivated. The trial court then ruled that a prima facie case had not been made. These determinations fall squarely within the province and expertise of the trial judge, who will not be reversed except upon a showing of clear error. McGilberry v. State, 741 So.2d 894, 923 (Miss.1999). This argument is without merit, and counsel cannot be faulted for deciding not to present the issue on direct appeal. This issue is without merit.