Opinion ID: 2076252
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Jeffrey Paull

Text: Prospective juror Paull testified on direct examination that his beliefs would preclude him from voting for a sentence other than death for a defendant convicted of first degree murder. On cross examination, however, he retreated from his initial statement and testified that I think I could weigh all of those factors in my mind. He also said that I couldn't possibly make up my mind until I heard the facts presented. These statements support the trial judge's decision that juror Paull could have performed his `duties as a juror in accordance with his instructions and his oath.' Wainwright v. Witt, 469 U.S. at 424, 105 S.Ct. at 852, 83 L.Ed.2d at 851-52 (quoting Adams v. Texas, 448 U.S. 38, 45, 100 S.Ct. 2521, 2526, 65 L.Ed.2d 581, 584 (1980). The fact that Paull's assertions were made during cross examination and that they conflicted with the answers given on direct examination is not dispositive of the issue because a prospective juror may be rehabilitated through additional questioning. Grandison v. State, 305 Md. at 726, 506 A.2d at 600. The trial judge did not abuse his discretion in refusing to excuse juror Paull for cause. Hunt exercised peremptory challenges to excuse Paull, as well as the next three jurors that Hunt contends should have been excused for cause.