Opinion ID: 3134745
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Witherspoon Violation

Text: Defendant contends that he was denied his constitutional right to an impartial jury and his “due process right to a jury from which no jurors have been systematically removed.” The basis for this claim is the State’s use of peremptory challenges to remove from the venire individuals who expressed reservations about imposing the death penalty. In particular, defendant claims that the State excused Dale Larsen, Albert Efkman, and James Lofgren based on a perception that they were “weak as far as the death penalty” and, thus, the State “seated a hanging jury” by removing these men who were “otherwise well qualified” to sit on the jury. Under Witherspoon v. Illinois , 391 U.S. 510, 20 L. Ed. 2d 776, 88 S. Ct. 1770 (1968), and its progeny, it is unconstitutional to remove for cause a prospective juror who expresses a general objection to the death penalty on moral or religious grounds. This court has repeatedly held, however, that Witherspoon does not limit the State’s use of peremptory challenges. People v. Coleman , 168 Ill. 2d 509, 549 (1995); People v. Williams , 161 Ill. 2d 1, 55-56 (1994); People v. Howard , 147 Ill. 2d 103, 136-38 (1991). While defendant acknowledges these decisions, he urges us to reconsider them. Yet, he has provided this court with no persuasive reasons for departing from our earlier holdings. But even if this court were inclined to revisit this issue, it would be unnecessary in this case. Defendant contends the State unconstitutionally exercised its peremptory challenges to exclude Dale Larsen, Albert Efkman, and James Lofgren. However, these men were members of the venire at defendant’s first sentencing hearing. The death sentence which was imposed following the first sentencing hearing was vacated. Defendant received a new sentencing hearing, where the evidence was heard by an entirely new sentencing jury. Thus, whether the State improperly excluded these venirepersons is a moot issue, which we need not consider. See People v. Henderson , 142 Ill. 2d 258, 281 (1990). Defendant does not contend that any venire members at his second sentencing hearing were improperly excluded. Accordingly, we conclude that defendant has failed to make a substantial showing that his constitutional rights to an impartial sentencing jury were violated. This claim was properly dismissed without an evidentiary hearing.