Opinion ID: 2274302
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Batson Standards

Text: Parties cannot exercise peremptory challenges to remove potential jurors solely based on the jurors' gender, ethnicity, or race. Strong, 142 S.W.3d at 712. In raising a race-based Batson challenge, three steps are followed: (1) the defendant raises a Batson challenge with respect to a specific venireperson struck by the State, identifying the cognizable racial group to which that person belongs; (2) the State must supply a reasonably specific and clear race-neutral reason for the challenged strike; and (3) if the state provides an acceptable reason for the strike, then the defendant must show that the State's given reason or reasons were merely pretextual and that the strike was racially motivated. Id. In determining pretext, the main consideration is the plausibility of the prosecutor's explanations in light of the totality of the facts and circumstances surrounding the case. State v. Edwards, 116 S.W.3d 511, 527 (Mo. banc 2003). The court also considers the presence of similarly situated white jurors who were not struck. Strong, 142 S.W.3d at 712. Evidence of purposeful discrimination is established when the stated reason for striking [a minority] venireperson applies to an otherwise-similar member of another race who is permitted to serve. State v. McFadden, 191 S.W.3d 648, 651 (Mo. banc 2006). Other factors the court considers include the logical relevance between the State's proffered explanation and the case to be tried, the prosecutor's credibility based on his or her demeanor or statements during voir dire and the court's past experiences with the prosecutor, and the demeanor of the excluded venireperson. Strong, 142 S.W.3d at 712. Finally, the court can consider objective factors bearing on the State's motive to discriminate on the basis of race, such as conditions prevailing in the community and the race of the defendant, the victim, and the material witnesses. [5] Edwards, 116 S.W.3d at 527. This Court defers to the trial court in these matters, and will overturn its decision only upon a showing of clear error. State v. Morrow, 968 S.W.2d 100, 113 (Mo. banc 1998). A clear error is one that leaves this Court with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. Id.