Opinion ID: 888945
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Issue 4: Did the District Court err when it refused to strike a prospective juror for cause?

Text: ¶ 38 A court may remove for cause members of a potential jury panel if they can be shown to have an interest in the action, an unqualified opinion or belief as to the merits of the action, or can be shown to have bias. Section 25-7-223(5)-(7), MCA. Voir dire questioning revealed that juror Butts had a problem with suits against Wheatland County. He explained his concerns that, as a taxpayer, he could be responsible through increased taxes for any verdict returned against the county. Juror Butts reiterated his concern throughout voir dire regarding the source of an award. Juror Butts also maintained, however, that he could be fair and impartial. At no point during voir dire did juror Butts state that he was unwilling to be fair or that he would be biased. Juror Butts stated that he would follow the instructions and law given to him by the judge. ¶ 39 Eklund cites multiple cases where a juror demonstrated bias against one party and the court removed for cause the potential juror. See Mahan v. Farmers Union Central Exchange, Inc., 235 Mont. 410, 768 P.2d 850 (1989); Crail Creek. The potential jurors in these cases demonstrated actual bias. ¶ 40 For example in Mahan, one potential jury exhibited a fixed scruple against punitive damages, while the other stated he preferred management over employees in disputes. Mahan, 235 Mont. at 418, 768 P.2d at 855. Juror Butts expressed some concern regarding the source of the money. Juror Butts did not express a fixed view against damages being awarded to a plaintiff in a negligence action. Juror Butts also did not express favoritism for one side over the other in such a dispute. ¶ 41 The potential juror in Crail Creek likewise gave responses that reflected a biased state of mind. The potential juror admitted that she was inclined to favor contractors and that she did not know if she could set aside her bias. Crail Creek, ¶ 20. Juror Butts never expressed a bias toward either party. In fact, juror Butts, maintained that he could be impartial. When questioned about following the law and instructions, juror Butts replied, I'm going to do the best of my ability what I'm instructed to do. ¶ 42 The trial judge stood in the best position to detect whether juror Butts demonstrated actual bias against Eklund. Juror Butts's hesitance regarding the size of a potential verdict does not lead us to believe that he would have been biased or would have failed to follow the law and instructions. The District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion to remove juror Butts for cause.