Court Opinion

ID: 9669187
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 02:42:24.37923+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:53.425706
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing
On more mature consideration we have reached the conclusion that the juror Russell Coffey, who was challenged for cause, was not subject to challenge, that he was not within the 5th degree of kinship according to the rules of the civil law, and the court erred in sustaining the challenge made by the solicitor. As stated in Danzey v. State, 126 Ala. 15, 28 So. 697, 698, cited in the foregoing opinion, “When existing only by affinity, the relationship does not disqualify, unless it be within the fifth degree as computed by the civil-law rule. By that rule, as applied to collaterals, the count begins at one of the persons in question, and proceeds up to the common ancestor, and then down to the other person, calling it a degree for each person, both ascending and descending; and the number thus counted expresses the degree of kinship.” As stated in the original opinion, the juror “was a second cousin by affinity to the defendant”, and, therefore, was within the 6th degree, not the 5th.
In O’Rear’s case, reported as O’Rear v. State, 188 Ala. 71, 66 So. 81, 82, the court stated: “It is equally clear, however, that the trial judge must determine, not only whether the veniremen possess the general qualifications prescribed by the jury law for jury service in general, but also whether they are competent jurors for the trial of the case in hand. This being the judge’s duty, it is of no consequence whether he rejects an unfit venireman ex mero motu, or upon the suggestion of another. Justice is not concerned with the source of (or) form of the information which reveals incompetence, but only with its resulting elimination from the jury box. Nor is it material that incompetents are not discovered by the preliminary inquiry before the lists are made up. If they be discovered at any time, at least before striking is begun, they should be striken by the court. * * * ”
In the instant case the juror was not incompetent nor subject to challenge and it was reversible error to allow the challenge for cause. Danzey v. State, 126 Ala. 15, 28 So. 697; Phillips v. State, 68 Ala. 469.
The reporter will set out in his report of the case “The Nolan Chart of Relationships and Degrees of Kindred According to the Civil Law”, which is appended to this opinion.
The application for rehearing is therefore granted and the judgment of the circuit court is reversed and the cause is remanded for another trial. Let the defendant remain in custody until discharged by due course of law.
Application for rehearing granted. Reversed and remanded.
LIVINGSTON, C. J., and SIMPSON and STAKELY, JJ., concur.