Opinion ID: 2457072
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Voir Dire on Range of Punishment

Text: During voir dire, the trial court asked the venire whether any members of the panel could not follow the court's instructions as to the death penalty. Then, those who indicated that they might were questioned individually by the court and by the attorneys. After this, both sides were allowed to question the remaining venirepersons. Mr. Knese asserts that it was plain error for the trial court not to ask jurors whether they could impose a life sentence if instructed to by the court. Mr. Knese has cited no authority for the proposition that it is erroneous for the trial court to fail to ask, sua sponte, any particular questions during voir dire. Here Mr. Knese had an opportunity to ask any question he wished or ask the trial court to do so. In order to complain of insufficient voir dire, a defendant must attempt to have a specific question asked or, at a minimum, notify the trial court that he wishes to explore a particular area. [63] The trial court did not plainly err in failing to ask this question sua sponte.