Opinion ID: 2812008
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Denise McLaurin - Venire Member Number 97

Text: ¶59. The State’s S-5 peremptory challenge was to McLaurin. The State offered that McLaurin wrote “undecided” by the “yes” and “no” options on the jury questionnaire form regarding imposing the death penalty. The State was entitled to choose jurors it believed were best qualified. Cox argues that, because other remaining venire members were unsure on their questionnaires whether they could impose the death penalty, but later stated that they 26 could impose it and follow the law if required, the State was using that reason as an excuse for disparate treatment. The trial court accepted the State’s articulated reason. The trial court stated that the State had the right to choose and he would allow the strike because of these venire members’ concerns regarding the questionnaire response.