Court Opinion

ID: 9705582
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 01:12:44.210554+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:12.651203
License: Public Domain

Allen, C.J.,
dissenting. While I agree that the majority holding is in accord with our past precedents, I also believe that it will, in the words of Masterson, “invite the use of stratagems designed to defeat the fair balance of the rule.” Masterson v. State, 139 Vt. 106, 107, 423 A.2d 845, 846 (1980). Adherence to a rule that permits peremptory challenges until the jury is sworn will permit a party to “pass,” *540“waive,” or remain “content,” while the opponent exhausts all peremptory challenges and then alter the composition of up to one-half the jury panel. I agree with Justice Morse and a majority of federal courts that, at the least, a pass should result in forfeit of a challenge. I would go one step further and forbid “back-strikes” altogether in the absence of something to suggest that the competency of a juror underwent any change after acceptance.
Applying these views to the facts presented requires an affirmance of the trial court’s initial ruling that a pass would result in the loss of the last peremptory challenge, unless that challenge was to the replacement resulting from the defendants’ last challenge. United States v. Echavarria-Olarte, 904 F.2d 1391, 1395 (9th Cir. 1990) (acceptance of panel cannot be deemed waiver of peremptory challenge in respect of person who was not member of panel at time jury was accepted). Because plaintiff failed to direct his challenge to the replacement juror, I would affirm on the jury issue.