☢ test - Í

Mayes v. State, 279 Ga.App. 499, 631 S.E.2d 724 (May 19, 2006). Reasons for excusal were all race-neutral: The prosecutor struck juror 33 because this juror stated that he ‘just let it go’ when a former roommate stole from him because ‘things come around.’ The prosecutor explained that he was concerned that this juror would rely on ‘karmic justice,’ instead of making a decision based on the evidence.” “See Jones v. State, 226 Ga.App. 428, 430(1) (487 S.E.2d 62) (1997) (concern that juror will not seriously consider the State’s evidence is neutral reason for strike). Scott v. State, 280 Ga. 466, 629 S.E.2d 211 (April 25, 2006). Race-neutral reasons for strikes: the juror “had indicated that defendants are sometimes required to prove their innocence. The State explained that, due to this notion, the potential juror might be ‘favorably disposed toward the defendant because they view it’s unfair, whether she’s black or white.’ With regard to the second potential juror, the State argued that it struck her from the jury because she was either non- responsive to the State’s questions, or she would say one thing and then immediately contradict herself. In addition, the second juror also stated that she felt that a criminal offense which required a two-year jail term was a ‘small thing.’ The State argued that it struck her from the jury because this answer ‘reflects a callousness either for the law or the sentence or both.’ In addition, many of her answers to questions simply could not be comprehended. In both of these cases, the State provided a concrete race-neutral reason for striking the jurors in question.” Quillian v. State, 279 Ga. 698, 620 S.E.2d 376 (October 3, 2005). “The State may reasonably base its use of a peremptory strike upon a prospective juror’s apparent belief that, in general, law enforcement officers are racially motivated. ” Young v. State, 272 Ga.App. 304, 612 S.E.2d 118 (March 21, 2005). Juror “was diabetic, did not appear to be in total command of his faculties, believed in witchcraft, was difficult to understand, and did not appear to understand questions asked of him.” Flanders v. State, 279 Ga. 35, 609 S.E.2d 346 (February 21, 2005). No Batson violation: Juror’s “recollection abilities were called into question when he could not remember on what type of jury he had previously served; his service would create an extreme hardship because he was required to care for a dependent aunt; and he would find the evidence too offensive .” Reedman v. State, 265 Ga.App. 162, 593 S.E.2d 46 (December 19, 2003). “[T]he juror expressed doubts and concerns about the fairness of a legal system that would allow Reedman to represent himself. ” Brown v. State, 256 Ga.App. 209, 568 S.E.2d 62 (June 10, 2002). Strike of black juror who felt criminal justice system is not fair toward blacks is not race neutral reason. Brannan v. State, 275 Ga. 70, 561 S.E.2d 414 (March 25, 2002). State used 7 of its 10 peremptory strikes to remove black prospective jurors from the panel. Held, Defendant failed to carry his burden of proving purposeful discrimination as the State gave valid reasons. Five of the prospective jurors expressed reservations about imposing the death penalty. The sixth prospective juror learned in nursing school about post-traumatic stress disorder (“PTSD”), which was to figure prominently in Defendant’s defense, and the DA’s office had previously prosecuted the prospective juror for fraud. The seventh prospective juror served four years in the Marines, including a tour in Vietnam, and said he had known Marines with PTSD who would “freak out” or “snap,” and he knew this to be PTSD because that is what the corpsman called it. The State explained that a white Vietnam veteran they did not strike was not similarly situated because he had served 21 years in the Marines, including a tour in Vietnam, and stated, “I ain’t never had the problem with [PTSD].” Raheem v. State, 275 Ga. 87, 560 S.E.2d 680 (March 11, 2002). Held, no merit to defendant’s claim that State’s proffered reasons for strike of a potential juror relied upon racial stereotypes or were too vague where prosecutor stated that upon learning in voir dire where juror attended church, prosecutor was informed by church members that juror was odd, strange and weird and church members would not put juror on a jury; additionally, juror exhibited hearing difficulties . King v. State, 273 Ga. 258, 539 S.E.2d 783 (November 30, 2000). Malice murder and related convictions affirmed. Strikes were race- and gender-neutral: because juror “enjoyed” “‘her relationship with [mentally retarded] kids at school,’ ” unlike other jurors who merely reporting knowing mentally retarded persons. Drane v. State, 271 Ga. 849, 523 S.E.2d 301 (November 1, 1999). 1. Strikes based on “expressed reservations about imposing a death sentence” were race/gender neutral. Accord, Floyd v. State , 272 Ga. 65, 525 S.E.2d 683 (January 18, 2000); Pickren v. State, 272 Ga. 421, 530 S.E.2d 464 (May 30, 2000) (Juror ““had given voir dire responses regarding incarceration alternatives to the death penalty, leading the district attorney to suspect her support of the death penalty.”).