Opinion ID: 1690126
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 23

Heading: was jordan given a sufficient opportunity to ask questions in voir dire concerning the death penalty and mitigating circumstances?

Text: ś 131. Jordan contends that during voir dire he was not allowed to ask whether the veniremen's views of the death penalty would substantially impair their ability to consider a life sentence and whether they thought that any of the mitigating factors that Jordan intended to prove were irrelevant. Trial courts have broad discretion in determining the extent and propriety of questions posed to potential jurors. An abuse of discretion can be shown only when prejudice is demonstrated. McGilberry v. State, 741 So.2d 894, 912 (Miss.1999). ś 132. The trial court reviewed proposed voir dire questions in a pre-trial hearing. He allowed the question of whether the veniremen would automatically vote for the death penalty. ś 133. The State objected to a question proposed by the defense because it did not track Witt v. Wainwright, 470 U.S. 1039, 105 S.Ct. 1415, 84 L.Ed.2d 801 (1985). The judge sustained the objection and stated that he would follow the Witt standard, asking the veniremen if their views were such that they would substantially impair the performance of their duties as a juror in accordance with the instructions. The defense then proposed a question asking if the veniremen deemed any of the mitigating factors Jordan intended to prove irrelevant to their sentencing decision. The court sustained the State's objection, stating that the case law did not require him to ask that question. ś 134. Jordan can show no prejudice from the trial judge's refusal to follow Jordan's proposed voir dire questions. He merely reworded the Witt question to follow the ruling in that case. As to the question whether the jury members would believe that his mitigating evidence was irrelevant, defense counsel may not use hypothetical questions to secure a commitment from the jurors concerning the verdict they will render. Evans v. State, 725 So.2d at 650. Here, the trial judge cautioned defense counsel concerning Evans, but told defense counsel that he would not prohibit the asking of philosophical questions concerning their beliefs on the death penalty or life imprisonment. The trial judge's instructions and questions were within the confines of our precedent, and it cannot be said that he abused his discretion or prevented Jordan's counsel from fully inquiring into the potential jurors beliefs concerning the death penalty. Therefore, this issue is without merit.