Opinion ID: 1151655
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: mary ann sylvester

Text: The defendant contends the trial court erred in refusing his challenge for cause for this prospective juror. Defense counsel objected to the ruling and exercised a peremptory challenge against Mrs. Sylvester. The defendant argues, that as the mother of seven children, Mrs. Sylvester would be worried about their welfare and the fact she would miss the Easter holiday with them to the point she could not be a qualified juror. Bourque also contends Mrs. Sylvester had a deep-seated feeling about murder which affected her qualifications. The record shows these claims to be unfounded. Mrs. Sylvester indicated she had seven children, ages eleven through six months. Although her husband had some physical limitations due to a back problem, she stated her mother-in-law could help out and she would feel comfortable with that arrangement. Mrs. Sylvester stated it might affect her only somewhat if she had to miss the Easter holiday with her children and it might cause her to be less attentive. She later stated, however, there was nothing which would prevent her from sitting as a fair and impartial juror. Mrs. Sylvester indicated she could vote for a life sentence although she did believe death was an appropriate penalty for some crimes. She stated she did not favor the death penalty as punishment every time a murder was committed. When questioned by defense counsel, Mrs. Sylvester stated murder was the type of crime which particularly upset her and acknowledged her personal feelings might flow over into the decision making process. She indicated she might have trouble following the judge's instructions not to allow this. The state attempted to rehabilitate Mrs. Sylvester by asking her whether she was upset at the defendant or had any personal problem with him because he was charged with murder. Mrs. Sylvester responded negatively and further agreed her dislike of the crime of murder would not allow her to disregard the judge's instructions. She indicated she would be able to be a fair and impartial juror. Once again defense counsel questioned Mrs. Sylvester. When questioned as to her conflicting responses, Mrs. Sylvester told defense counsel his earlier questions were unclear and that she had been confused. She indicated, however, her personal feelings were not going to enter into her deliberations. On further rehabilitation by the state, Mrs. Sylvester stated she would base her verdict on the evidence, would be fair and impartial to the defendant throughout the trial, and could follow the judge's instructions no matter what they were. When considering Mrs. Sylvester's responses as a whole, the record supports the finding the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant's challenge for cause. Lee, 559 So.2d at 1318.