State of West Virginia v. Timothy Ray Sutherland , 231 W. Va. 410 ( 2013 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
January 2013 Term
FILED
_____________ June 5, 2013
released at 3:00 p.m.
RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
No. 11-0799 SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
_____________ OF WEST VIRGINIA
STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA,
Plaintiff Below, Respondent
V.
TIMOTHY RAY SUTHERLAND,
Defendant Below, Petitioner
____________________________________________________________________
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Kanawha County
Honorable James C. Stucky, Judge
Criminal Action No. 10-F-328
AFFIRMED
____________________________________________________________________
Submitted: April 9, 2013
Filed: June 5, 2013
Jason D. Parmer Patrick Morrissey
Kanawha County Public Defender’s Office Attorney General
Charleston, West Virginia Laura Young, Assistant Attorney General
Attorney for Petitioner Charleston, West Virginia
Attorney for Respondent
JUSTICE DAVIS delivered the Opinion of the Court.
CHIEF JUSTICE BENJAMIN concurs, in part, and dissents, in part, and reserves the
right to file a separate opinion.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. “Actual bias can be shown either by a juror’s own admission of bias or
by proof of specific facts which show the juror has such prejudice or connection with the
parties at trial that bias is presumed.” Syllabus point 5, State v. Miller, 197 W. Va. 588, 476
S.E.2d 535 (1996).
2. “When a prospective juror makes a clear statement of bias during voir
dire, the prospective juror is automatically disqualified and must be removed from the jury
panel for cause. However, when a juror makes an inconclusive or vague statement that only
indicates the possibility of bias or prejudice, the prospective juror must be questioned further
by the trial court and/or counsel to determine if actual bias or prejudice exists. Likewise, an
initial response by a prospective juror to a broad or general question during voir dire will not,
in and of itself, be sufficient to determine whether a bias or prejudice exists. In such a
situation, further inquiry by the trial court is required. Nonetheless, the trial court should
exercise caution that such further voir dire questions to a prospective juror should be couched
in neutral language intended to elicit the prospective juror’s true feelings, beliefs, and
thoughts—and not in language that suggests a specific response, or otherwise seeks to
rehabilitate the juror. Thereafter, the totality of the circumstances must be considered, and
where there is a probability of bias the prospective juror must be removed from the panel by
the trial court for cause.” Syllabus point 8, State v. Newcomb, 223 W. Va. 843, 679 S.E.2d
i
675 (2009).
3. A trial court’s failure to remove a biased juror from a jury panel, as
required by W. Va. Code § 62-3-3 (1949) (Repl. Vol. 2010), does not violate a criminal
defendant’s right to a trial by an impartial jury if the defendant removes the juror with a
peremptory strike. In order to obtain a new trial for having used a peremptory strike to
remove a biased juror from a jury panel, a criminal defendant must show prejudice. The
holding in Syllabus point 8 of State v. Phillips, 194 W. Va. 569, 461 S.E.2d 75 (1995), is
expressly overruled.
Davis, Justice:
This is an appeal by Timothy Ray Sutherland (hereinafter “Mr. Sutherland”)
ii
from his conviction for first degree murder. Mr. Sutherland was sentenced by the Circuit
Court of Kanawha County to life in prison without the possibility of parole. In this appeal,
Mr. Sutherland argues that the circuit court committed error by failing to strike a prospective
juror for cause.1 After a careful review of the parties’ briefs, the record submitted on appeal,
and listening to the arguments of the parties, we affirm.
I.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
In 2009, Mr. Sutherland was living temporarily at the home of his cousin,
Stacie Smith, in St. Albans, West Virginia. In the early morning hours of December 28,
2009, Mr. Sutherland got into an argument with Ms. Smith in her bedroom. The argument
involved a comment made by Mr. Sutherland that Ms. Smith’s boyfriend did not treat her
properly. During the argument, Ms. Smith called Mr. Sutherland a “junkie”. Mr. Sutherland
became outraged at being called a drug addict and left the bedroom. He then went into the
kitchen and smoked a cigarette. Within a few minutes, he returned to the bedroom carrying
a butcher knife. Mr. Sutherland fatally stabbed Ms. Smith on the right side of her neck as
1
Although Mr. Sutherland only briefed one assignment of error, his Notice of
Appeal listed three assignments of error. Insofar as Mr. Sutherland has briefed only one
issue in this appeal, the remaining two issues assigned in the Notice of Appeal are deemed
waived. See State v. Harris, 226 W. Va. 471, 472 n.1, 702 S.E.2d 603, 604 n.1 (2010)
(“Assignments of error that are not argued in the briefs on appeal may be deemed by this
Court to be waived.”) (internal quotations and citation omitted)).
1
she laid on the bed.2 Before fleeing the scene of the murder, Mr. Sutherland took Ms.
Smith’s cell phone, credit card, money, and car keys. He also wrote the words “Cheating
Whore” on a living room wall in the house.3
The police arrested Mr. Sutherland in an abandoned trailer on December 30,
2009. The police initially arrested Mr. Sutherland on an outstanding warrant for failing to
register as a sex offender.4 Subsequent to his arrest, Mr. Sutherland confessed to killing Ms.
Smith. In April 2010, a grand jury indicted Mr. Sutherland on charges of first degree murder
and first degree robbery. After a three-day trial in March 2011, a jury returned a verdict
convicting Mr. Sutherland of first degree murder, without a recommendation of mercy; the
jury acquitted Mr. Sutherland of first degree robbery.5
II.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
We are asked to review the trial court’s decision not to strike a potential juror
2
At the time of the stabbing, Ms. Smith’s infant son was in the home, but he
was in his bedroom. Ms. Smith also had a daughter who had spent the night at a friend’s
home. The record does not indicate the age of either child.
3
It was later determined that Mr. Sutherland wrote the words on the wall to
make the police suspect that Ms. Smith’s boyfriend had committed the crime.
4
At the time of the arrest, the police did not have sufficient evidence to charge
Mr. Sutherland with the murder of Ms. Smith. However, he was a “person of interest” in the
murder.
5
Other facts, as they relate to the assignment of error, will be addressed in
Section III, infra.
2
for cause. We have articulated the standard of review of this issue as follows:
In reviewing the qualifications of a jury to serve in a
criminal case, we follow a three-step process. Our review is
plenary as to legal questions such as the statutory qualifications
for jurors; clearly erroneous as to whether the facts support the
grounds relied upon for disqualification; and an abuse of
discretion as to the reasonableness of the procedure employed
and the ruling on disqualification by the trial court.
State v. Miller, 197 W. Va. 588, 600–01, 476 S.E.2d 535, 547–48 (1996). See Syl. pt. 2,
State v. Mayle, 178 W. Va. 26, 357 S.E.2d 219 (1987). In Syllabus point 4 of Miller, the
Court further held:
The relevant test for determining whether a juror is
biased is whether the juror had such a fixed opinion that he or
she could not judge impartially the guilt of the defendant. Even
though a juror swears that he or she could set aside any opinion
he or she might hold and decide the case on the evidence, a
juror’s protestation of impartiality should not be credited if the
other facts in the record indicate to the contrary.
197 W. Va. 588, 476 S.E.2d 535. With these standards in mind, we turn to the issue
presented as an assignment of error.
III.
DISCUSSION
This case presents two issues for resolution. First, we must determine whether
the trial court should have granted Mr. Sutherland’s motion to strike a prospective juror for
3
cause. Second, we take this opportunity to revisit our decision in State v. Phillips, 194
W. Va. 569, 461 S.E.2d 75 (1995), which permits a new trial whenever a criminal defendant
uses a peremptory strike to remove a prospective juror that should have been struck for
cause. We examine each issue separately.
A. Failing to Strike a Prospective Juror for Cause
Mr. Sutherland contends that a prospective juror was biased and that the trial
court should have granted his motion to strike the juror for cause. This Court has held:
The relevant test for determining whether a juror is
biased is whether the juror had such a fixed opinion that he or
she could not judge impartially the guilt of the defendant. Even
though a juror swears that he or she could set aside any opinion
he or she might hold and decide the case on the evidence, a
juror’s protestation of impartiality should not be credited if the
other facts in the record indicate to the contrary.
Syl. pt. 4, State v. Miller, 197 W. Va. 588, 476 S.E.2d 535 (1996). We also have recognized
that “[a]ctual bias can be shown either by a juror’s own admission of bias or by proof of
specific facts which show the juror has such prejudice or connection with the parties at trial
that bias is presumed.” Syl. pt. 5, Miller, id.In this proceeding, Mr. Sutherland argues that the trial judge should have struck
a prospective juror for cause based upon the following voir dire exchange:
[Defense Counsel:] Okay. Thank you. Part of the
evidence that all of you–some of you will see in this case is a
video of Mr. Sutherland confessing that he took Stacie Smith’s
4
life. So, as jurors, you won’t really be deciding whether Mr.
Sutherland is guilty or innocent. Instead, what you’ll be
deciding on is exactly what crime Mr. Sutherland is guilty
of. . . . If you find him guilty of first degree murder, you also
have to decide whether or not to grant Mr. Sutherland mercy.
Granting Mr. Sutherland mercy means that 15 years from
now the Parole Board will take a look at his case; they’ll hear
from the victim’s friends and relatives, people who were
impacted by this crime; and then the Parole Board will decide
whether or not Mr. Sutherland ever gets to leave prison, and if
he leaves prison, he’ll be on supervised parole.
Granting mercy is not a guarantee that he’ll ever leave
prison provided that you find him guilty of first degree murder,
but mercy does mean that that option is available to him.
....
[Defense Counsel:] Thank you, judge. After telling you-
all that, my first question for you is: Does anyone think if you
intentionally murder someone, you should never leave prison?
(WHEREUPON, Potential Juror Number 178, Mr. Kevin
Wong raised his hand.)
[Defense Counsel:] Mr. Wong. Is there anyone else that
thinks if you intentionally murder someone, you should never
leave prison?
(WHEREUPON, there was no response by the potential
jurors.)
[Defense Counsel:] Mr. Wong, so, if you found Mr.
Sutherland guilty of first degree murder, you could not
recommend mercy?
[Mr. Wong:] No, I just feel if somebody takes a life, and
since you don’t have the death penalty here in West Virginia,
that’s where he ought to stay.
5
....
[Defense Counsel:] Is there anyone here who agrees with
the saying, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth?”
(WHEREUPON, Potential Juror Number 178, Mr. Kevin
Wong raised his hand.)
[Defense Counsel:] Mr. Wong. Is there anyone here
who’s heard of the saying, “An eye for an eye only makes the
whole world blind?”
(WHEREUPON, there was no response by the potential
jurors.)
Mr. Sutherland contends that the above exchange required the trial court to strike Mr. Wong
from the jury panel. In support of this contention, Mr. Sutherland relies primarily upon the
decision in State v. Greer, 22 W. Va. 800 (1883).
The defendant in Greer was charged with first degree murder, which, at that
time, was punishable by death.6 However, the jury convicted him of second degree murder,
and he was sentenced to prison for ten years. One of the issues the defendant raised on
appeal was that the trial court committed error in striking, for cause, a potential juror who
had “conscientious scruples” against imposing the death penalty. The opinion in Greer set
out the facts on the issue as follows:
The second bill of exceptions was to the ruling of the
court sustaining the challenge to W. S. Duff, who was sworn on
6
“In 1965, the death penalty in West Virginia was abolished by the legislature.”
Vance v. Holland, 177 W. Va. 607, 608, 355 S.E.2d 396, 397 (1987).
6
his voir dire, having been regularly drawn as a juror. The
question was propounded by the court “whether he had any
conscientious scruples against inflicting the death penalty in a
proper case?” To which, answer was made, that “he had
conscientious scruples against inflicting the death penalty; that
he would be governed by the law and evidence, but was opposed
to inflicting capital punishment.” . . . “Whereupon said
proposed juror was rejected by the court for that reason alone
and no other, against the objection of the prisoner.
22 W. Va. at 809. Ultimately, the Court in Greer found that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in striking the potential juror for cause. The opinion set out its holding on the
issue in Syllabus points 5 and 6 as follows:
5. In empaneling a jury in a capital case a proposed juror
examined on his voir dire, who in answer to a question
propounded by the court says, he has conscientious scruples
against inflicting the death-penalty, is incompetent and is
properly rejected by the court, although he says he will be
governed by the law and the evidence.
6. Since our statute gives a jury a discretion, when they
find a prisoner guilty of murder in the first degree, to say he
shall be punished by imprisonment in the penitentiary, it is more
important to the State, that juries should have no conscientious
scruples against inflicting the death penalty.
Greer, 22 W. Va. 800.
Although we find Greer instructive, we do not find it controlling. In fact,
Greer has been implicitly modified by our evolving law on striking a potential juror for
cause, as illustrated in Syllabus point 8 of State v. Newcomb, 223 W. Va. 843, 679 S.E.2d
7
675 (2009):
When a prospective juror makes a clear statement of bias
during voir dire, the prospective juror is automatically
disqualified and must be removed from the jury panel for cause.
However, when a juror makes an inconclusive or vague
statement that only indicates the possibility of bias or prejudice,
the prospective juror must be questioned further by the trial
court and/or counsel to determine if actual bias or prejudice
exists. Likewise, an initial response by a prospective juror to a
broad or general question during voir dire will not, in and of
itself, be sufficient to determine whether a bias or prejudice
exists. In such a situation, further inquiry by the trial court is
required. Nonetheless, the trial court should exercise caution
that such further voir dire questions to a prospective juror should
be couched in neutral language intended to elicit the prospective
juror’s true feelings, beliefs, and thoughts—and not in language
that suggests a specific response, or otherwise seeks to
rehabilitate the juror. Thereafter, the totality of the
circumstances must be considered, and where there is a
probability of bias the prospective juror must be removed from
the panel by the trial court for cause.
Assuming, for the sake of argument, that West Virginia had retained the death penalty,
Greer’s automatic disqualification of a potential juror could occur only if the potential juror
has made a “clear statement of bias,” as required by Newcomb. In other words, Newcomb
does not require a potential juror be automatically disqualified for making a biased statement
if the statement is inconclusive or vague. See Syl. pt. 4, O’Dell v. Miller, 211 W. Va. 285,
565 S.E.2d 407 (2002). It is this exception in Newcomb that has modified any general
application of Greer on the issue of bias.
In the instant proceeding, Mr. Sutherland argues that Mr. Wong made a clear
8
statement of bias. Therefore, Mr. Sutherland contends, Mr. Wong should have been
disqualified. We disagree.
Mr. Wong responded in a general manner to the question of whether a person
should ever leave prison for committing intentional murder. Rather than following up with
further questions, as required under Newcomb, defense counsel stopped questioning Mr.
Wong on the issue of mercy. Under the decision in Newcomb, defense counsel had an
obligation to ask further questions in order to place into the record Mr. Wong’s response to
being able to follow the law on the issue of mercy as directed by the trial judge with regard
thereto. A case which illustrates this point is State v. Juntilla, 227 W. Va. 492, 711 S.E.2d
562 (2011).
In Juntilla, the defendant was convicted by a jury of first degree murder, sexual
assault in the first degree, and conspiracy to commit sexual assault. One of the issues raised
by the defendant on appeal was that the circuit court erred in denying his motion to strike a
prospective juror, David Smallwood, for cause. The opinion set out the argument as follows:
Specifically, the Appellant argues in his brief that the potential
juror was “predisposed to make a recommendation of no mercy
verdict.” The Appellant contends that the juror stated that it
would be “unlikely that I would feel any mercy but I would have
to, you know, I would have to hear the case through.” The juror
also said that he is a strong proponent of the death penalty and
believes that West Virginia should adopt it as a sentence.
Because the circuit court refused to grant the Appellant’s
motion, he was forced to use a peremptory strike to eliminate the
9
juror. In contrast, the Appellee maintains that Juror Smallwood
indicated that he favored a state law permitting the death
penalty, but he acknowledged that West Virginia does not have
the death penalty, that he could grant mercy and that he would
have to listen to the facts of the case before making a decision.
Juntilla, 227 W. Va. at 499, 711 S.E.2d at 569. Based upon the above facts, this Court found
that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in denying the motion to strike the potential
juror for cause:
A review of the record reveals that Juror Smallwood told
the circuit court that it was his belief that West Virginia should
have a death penalty. When questioned further about West
Virginia not having the death penalty and whether, in light of
that, Juror Smallwood could recommend mercy, the juror
responded:
I have to, you know, hear the case. I don’t know if I
could stand here and give that decision at this very time but it
would probably be unlikely that I would feel any mercy but I
would have to, you know, I would have to hear the case through.
Based upon an examination of the entire voir dire of Juror
Smallwood, the Court finds that the circuit court did not err in
denying the Appellant’s motion to strike the juror for cause.
Juntilla, 227 W. Va. at 499-500, 711 S.E.2d at 569-70.
Juntilla is instructive in showing that, when a potential juror in a first degree
murder case makes a general statement of not being predisposed to granting mercy, further
questioning should occur to ascertain the juror’s willingness to impartially decide the issue
based upon the law and the facts of the case presented. Here, defense counsel failed to make
further inquiry of Mr. Wong as to whether he would follow the trial court’s instructions and
10
decide the issue of mercy based upon the facts of the case. See Syl. pt. 6, in part, Miller, 197
W. Va. 588, 476 S.E.2d 535. (“The challenging party bears the burden of persuading the trial
court that the juror is partial and subject to being excused for caused[.]”). Consequently, the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying Mr. Sutherland’s motion to strike Mr. Wong
for cause.
B. Using a Peremptory Strike to Remove a Juror
Who Should Have Been Removed for Cause
Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the trial court erred in not striking Mr.
Wong for cause, Mr. Sutherland further contends that he was automatically entitled to a new
trial under Syllabus point 8 of State v. Phillips, 194 W. Va. 569, 461 S.E.2d 75 (1995),7
because he was required to remove Mr. Wong from the jury panel with a peremptory strike.
While we understand Mr. Sutherland’s reliance on Syllabus point 8 of Phillips, we believe
it is time to revisit the automatic new trial remedy recognized in that Syllabus point. As will
be explained below, the automatic new trial remedy allowed by Syllabus point 8 of Phillips
is not expressly authorized by the statute it relied upon, nor is it required by the state or
federal constitution.
The defendant in State v. Phillips was convicted of second degree murder for
killing his wife. On appeal, one of the issues raised by the defendant was that the trial court
7
Phillips was a 4-1 decision, with Justice Workman dissenting.
11
committed error in failing to strike two jurors for cause. Even though the defendant struck
both jurors with peremptory strikes, he argued that he was entitled to a new trial because he
was guaranteed a jury panel of unbiased prospective jurors, when he exercised his
peremptory strikes, under (1) the state and federal constitutions and (2) W. Va. Code §
62-3-3 (1949) (Repl. Vol. 2010). The constitutional and statutory issues addressed by
Phillips will be examined separately.
1. No right to an automatic new trial under the state or federal
constitutions without a showing of prejudice. The defendant in Phillips contended that he
was entitled to a new trial without a showing of prejudice because “the presence of the two
biased jurors on the jury panel denied his right to an impartial jury under the Sixth and
Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Section 14 of Article III of the
West Virginia Constitution.” Phillips, 194 W. Va. at 586, 461 S.E.2d at 92. This Court
rejected the argument after determining that, in Ross v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 81, 108 S. Ct.
2273, 101 L. Ed. 2d 80 (1988), the United States Supreme Court expressly held that “‘[s]o
long as the jury that sits is impartial, the fact that the defendant had to use a peremptory
challenge to achieve that result does not mean the Sixth Amendment was violated.’”
Phillips, 194 W. Va. at 586, 461 S.E.2d at 92 (quoting Ross, 487 U.S. at 88, 108 S. Ct. at
2278, 101 L.Ed.2d 80).8 As a consequence of the decision in Ross, we held in Syllabus point
8
Ross involved a state court prosecution in which the defendant invoked the
(continued...)
12
7 of Phillips:
A trial court’s failure to remove a biased juror from a jury
panel does not violate a defendant’s right to a trial by an
impartial jury as guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution and by Section
14 of Article III of the West Virginia Constitution. In order to
succeed in a claim that his or her constitutional right to an
impartial jury was violated, a defendant must affirmatively show
prejudice.
194 W. Va. 569, 461 S.E.2d 75.
Under Phillips, the mere presence of a biased juror on a jury panel does not
establish a violation of the state or federal constitutional right to an impartial jury. Phillips
requires a defendant to show prejudice from the juror’s presence on the jury panel. More
importantly, under Phillips prejudice cannot be established merely because a defendant
exercised a peremptory strike to remove the juror from the jury panel.
2. No right to an automatic new trial under W. Va. Code § 62-3-3 without
a showing of prejudice. The decision in Phillips followed Ross in holding that a defendant
must show prejudice when alleging a constitutional violation for having to use a peremptory
strike to remove a biased juror. However, Phillips reached a different conclusion under
W. Va. Code § 62-3-3. This statute provides, in relevant part:
In a case of felony, twenty jurors shall be drawn from
those in attendance for the trial of the accused. If a sufficient
8
(...continued)
federal constitution as a basis for reversal.
13
number of jurors for such panel cannot be procured in this way,
the court shall order others to be forthwith summoned and
selected, until a panel of twenty jurors, free from exception, be
completed, from which panel the accused may strike off six
jurors and the prosecuting attorney may strike off two jurors.9
W. Va. Code § 62-3-3 (emphasis and footnote added).
The defendant in Phillips argued that “because [he] was required to use two
of his peremptory challenges on the two allegedly disqualified jurors, he was denied his
statutory right to six peremptory challenges.” Phillips, 194 W. Va. at 586, 461 S.E.2d at 92.
In response to the issue raised, the Phillips court correctly found that the phrase “free from
exception” found in W. Va. Code § 62-3-3 required a jury panel be unbiased before a
defendant used his or her peremptory strikes. The court’s remedy for a violation of the
9
The statute reads in full as follows:
In a case of felony, twenty jurors shall be drawn from
those in attendance for the trial of the accused. If a sufficient
number of jurors for such panel cannot be procured in this way,
the court shall order others to be forthwith summoned and
selected, until a panel of twenty jurors, free from exception, be
completed, from which panel the accused may strike off six
jurors and the prosecuting attorney may strike off two jurors.
The prosecuting attorney shall first strike off two jurors, and
then the accused six. If the accused failed to strike from such
panel the number of jurors this section allows him to strike, the
number not stricken off by him shall be stricken off by the
prosecuting attorney, so as to reduce the panel to twelve, who
shall compose the jury for the trial of the case.
W. Va. Code § 62-3-3 (1949) ( ).
14
statute was set out in Syllabus point 8 of Phillips as follows:
The language of W. Va. Code, 62-3-3 (1949), grants a
defendant the specific right to reserve his or her peremptory
challenges until an unbiased jury panel is assembled.
Consequently, if a defendant validly challenges a prospective
juror for cause and the trial court fails to remove the juror,
reversible error results even if a defendant subsequently uses his
peremptory challenge to correct the trial court’s error.
Syl. pt. 8, Phillips, 194 W. Va. 569, 461 S.E.2d 75.
The holding in Syllabus point 8 of Phillips, that a violation of W. Va. Code
§ 62-3-3 requires automatic reversal, has no express or implicit support in the statute.10
Clearly, the statute is silent on a remedy for a violation of its requirements. We do not
believe that Phillips’ extreme remedy of an automatic new trial, without a showing of
prejudice, is warranted. Although we fully understand that the doctrine of stare decisis is a
guide for maintaining stability in the law, we will part ways with precedent that is not legally
sound. In syllabus point 2 of Dailey v. Bechtel Corp., 157 W. Va. 1023, 207 S.E.2d 169(1974), we held that “[a]n appellate court should not overrule a previous decision . . . without
evidence of changing conditions or serious judicial error in interpretation sufficient to compel
deviation from the basic policy of the doctrine of stare decisis, which is to promote certainty,
10
Although Phillips set out the remedy in Syllabus point 8, prior decisions of
this Court also recognized the remedy of automatic reversal without a showing of prejudice.
See State v. Wilcox, 169 W. Va. 142, 144, 286 S.E.2d 257, 259 (1982) (“[I]t is reversible
error to deny a valid challenge for cause even if the disqualified juror is later struck by a
[peremptory] challenge.”).
15
stability, and uniformity in the law.” Of course, “when it clearly is apparent that an error
has been made or that the application of an outmoded rule, due to changing conditions,
results in injustice, deviation from that policy is warranted.” Woodrum v. Johnson, 210 W.
Va. 762, 766 n.8, 559 S.E.2d 908, 912 n.8 (2001) (internal quotations and citations omitted).
We believe that the automatic reversal required under Syllabus point 8 of
Phillips is legally unsound and is not dictated by W. Va. Code § 62-3-3. The better and more
legally sound approach is to require a showing of prejudice, as is required by the
overwhelming majority of states.11 The prejudice approach is illustrated by the United States
11
A majority of courts require a defendant to establish prejudice when a
peremptory strike is used to remove a juror who should have been struck for cause. See Pace
v. State, 904 So. 2d 331, 341 (Ala. Crim. App. 2003); Minch v. State, 934 P.2d 764, 770
(Alaska Ct. App. 1997); State v. Kuhs, 224 P.3d 192, 198 (Ariz. 2010); Miles v. State, 85
S.W.3d 907, 911 (Ark. 2002); People v. Whalen, 294 P.3d 915, 951 (Cal. 2013); State v.
Ross, 849 A.2d 648, 669-70 (Conn. 2004); Holmes v. State, 422 A.2d 338, 341 (Del. 1980),
superseded by statute on other grounds as stated in Burke v. State, 484 A. 2d 490 (Del.
1984)); Johnson v. United States, 804 A.2d 297, 304 (D.C. Cir. 2002); Street v. State, 592
So. 2d 369, 370 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1992); State v. Iuli, 65 P.3d 143, 152 (Haw. 2003);
Stoddard v. Nelson, 581 P.2d 339, 343 (Idaho 1978); People v. Bowens, 943 N.E.2d 1249,
1259 (Ill. App. Ct. 2011); Whiting v. State, 969 N.E.2d 24, 30 (Ind. 2012); State v. Wilkins,
693 N.W.2d 348, 351 (Iowa 2005); State v. Broyles, 36 P.3d 259, 272 (Kan. 2001); Ware v.
State, 759 A.2d 764, 771 (Md. 2000); Commonwealth v. Mendes, 806 N.E.2d 393, 408
(Mass. 2004); People v. Holliday, 376 N.W.2d 154, 162 (Mich. Ct. App. 1985); State v.
Prtine, 784 N.W.2d 303, 311 (Minn. 2010); Mettetal v. State, 615 So. 2d 600, 603 (Miss.
1993); State v. Jamison, 365 S.W.3d 623, 627 (Mo. Ct. App. 2012); State v. Daly, 775
N.W.2d 47, 70 (Neb. 2009); Jitnan v. Oliver, 254 P.3d 623, 630 (Nev. 2011); State v.
DiFrisco, 645 A.2d 734, 751 (N.J. 1994); State v. Isiah, 781 P.2d 293, 302 (N.M. 1989),
overruled on other grounds by, State v. Lucero, 863 P.2d 1071, 1074 (N.M. 1993); State v.
(continued...)
16
Supreme Court decision of United States v. Martinez-Salazar, 528 U.S. 304, 120 S. Ct. 774,
145 L.Ed.2d 792 (2000).
The decision in Martinez-Salazar called upon the Supreme Court to address
the issue of an automatic right to a new trial in federal court when a biased juror is removed
from a jury panel with a peremptory strike by a criminal defendant. The defendant in
Martinez-Salazar was prosecuted by the federal government on various drug trafficking and
weapons charges.12 During jury voir dire, a prospective juror indicated that he would favor
the prosecution. The defendant asked the trial court to strike the prospective juror for cause.
The trial judge denied the motion to strike for cause. The defendant used a peremptory strike
11
(...continued)
Clemmons, 639 S.E.2d 110, 112 (N.C. Ct. App. 2007); State v. Entzi, 615 N.W.2d 145, 149
(N.D. 2000); State v. Hale, 892 N.E.2d 864, 888 (Ohio 2008); Harmon v. State, 248 P.3d
918, 932 (Okla. Crim. App. 2011); State v. Berliner, 222 P.3d 744, 746 (Or. Ct. App. 2009);
Commonwealth v. Chambers, 685 A.2d 96, 107 (Pa. 1996); State v. Barnville, 445 A.2d 298,
301 (R.I. 1982); State v. Green, 392 S.E.2d 157, 160 (S.C. 1990); State v. Daniel, 606
N.W.2d 532, 535 (S.D. 2000); State v. Schmeiderer, 319 S.W.3d 607, 633 (Tenn. 2010);
Busby v. State, 253 S.W.3d 661, 670 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008); State v. Menzies, 889 P.2d 393,
400 (Utah 1994); Lattrell v. Swain, 239 A.2d 195, 198 (Vt. 1968); State v. Fire, 34 P.3d
1218, 1225 (Wash. 2001); State v. Lindell, 629 N.W.2d 223, 245-46 (Wis. 2001). But see
Ma v. People, 121 P.3d 205, 210 (Colo. 2005) (automatic reversal without showing
prejudice); Harris v. State, 339 S.E.2d 712, 714 (Ga. 1986) (same); Shane v. Commonwealth,
243 S.W.3d 336, 341 (Ky. 2007) (same); State v. Jacobs, 789 So. 2d 1280, 1284 (La. 2001);
State v. Good, 43 P.3d 948, 960 (Mont. 2002) (same); People v. Weber, 959 N.Y.S.2d 736,
737 (N.Y. App. Div. 2013) (same); Townsend v. Commonwealth, 619 S.E.2d 71, 73 (Va.
2005) (same); Patterson v. State, 691 P.2d 253, 256 (Wyo. 1984) (same). Two states appear
not to have squarely addressed the issue: Maine and New Hampshire.
12
The defendant and a co-defendant were tried together.
17
to remove the juror. The defendant ultimately was convicted of all charges by the jury. On
appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals the defendant argued that he was entitled to a
new trial, without a showing of prejudice, because the trial court committed error in denying
his motion to strike the juror for cause. The Ninth Circuit agreed and granted the defendant
a new trial. The Ninth Circuit took the position that, under Rule 24(b) of the Federal Rules
of Criminal Procedure, the defendant had a right to exercise his peremptory strikes on a panel
of unbiased jurors. Consequently, the Ninth Circuit held that the defendant’s due process
right under the Fifth Amendment was violated because he had had to use one of his
peremptory strikes to cure an error by the trial court. The Supreme Court granted the
government’s appeal.
The Supreme Court’s opinion in Martinez-Salazar indicated initially that the
government conceded that the juror should have been struck for cause. However, the
government took the position that a defendant should be required “to use a peremptory
challenge to strike a juror who should have been removed for cause[.]” Martinez-Salazar,
528 U.S. at 314, 120 S. Ct. at 781, 145 L. Ed. 2d 792. The Supreme Court disagreed with
the government and held that a defendant does not have to use a peremptory strike to remove
a biased juror from the jury panel. However, the opinion also held that when a defendant
does use a peremptory strike to remove a biased juror, the defendant must show prejudice to
obtain a new trial. The opinion addressed the issues as follows:
We reject the Government’s contention that under federal
18
law, a defendant is obliged to use a peremptory challenge to
cure the judge’s error. We hold, however, that if the defendant
elects to cure such an error by exercising a peremptory
challenge, and is subsequently convicted by a jury on which no
biased juror sat, he has not been deprived of any rule-based or
constitutional right.
....
The Court of Appeals erred in concluding that the District
Court’s for-cause mistake compelled Martinez-Salazar to
challenge [the juror] peremptorily, thereby reducing his
allotment of peremptory challenges by one. A hard choice is not
the same as no choice. . . .
After objecting to the District Court’s denial of his
for-cause challenge, Martinez-Salazar had the option of letting
[the juror] sit on the petit jury and, upon conviction, pursuing a
Sixth Amendment challenge on appeal. Instead,
Martinez-Salazar elected to use a challenge to remove [the juror]
because he did not want [the juror] to sit on his jury. This was
Martinez-Salazar’s choice. The District Court did not demand–
and Rule 24(b) did not require--that Martinez-Salazar use a
peremptory challenge curatively.
In choosing to remove [the juror] rather than taking his
chances on appeal, Martinez-Salazar did not lose a peremptory
challenge. Rather, he used the challenge in line with a principal
reason for peremptories: to help secure the constitutional
guarantee of trial by an impartial jury. . . .
In conclusion, we note what this case does not involve.
It is not asserted that the trial court deliberately misapplied the
law in order to force the defendants to use a peremptory
challenge to correct the court’s error. Accordingly, no question
is presented here whether such an error would warrant reversal.
Nor did the District Court’s ruling result in the seating of any
juror who should have been dismissed for cause. As we have
recognized, that circumstance would require reversal.
We . . . hold that a defendant’s exercise of peremptory
19
challenges pursuant to Rule 24(b) is not denied or impaired
when the defendant chooses to use a peremptory challenge to
remove a juror who should have been excused for cause.
Martinez-Salazar and his codefendant were accorded 11
peremptory challenges, the exact number Rule 24(b) and (c)
allowed in this case. Martinez-Salazar received precisely what
federal law provided; he cannot tenably assert any violation of
his Fifth Amendment right to due process.
Martinez-Salazar, 528 U.S. at 307-16, 120 S.Ct. at 777-82, 145 L. Ed. 2d 792 (citations
omitted).
The decision in Martinez-Salazar followed Ross, which was a state
prosecution, in holding that the constitution is not violated when a defendant in a federal
prosecution uses a peremptory strike to remove a biased juror. More importantly,
Martinez-Salazar also made clear that merely because a defendant has a rule-based right to
exercise peremptory strikes on an unbiased jury panel does not mean that he or she is entitled
to a new trial for using a peremptory strike to remove a biased juror from the panel. The
latter holding by Martinez-Salazar supports this Court’s decision to overrule Syllabus point
8 of Phillips.
The defendants in both Phillips and Martinez-Salazar argued that they had a
right to exercise all of their peremptory strikes on a panel of unbiased jurors. The Courts in
both cases agreed with the defendants–Phillips found the right existed in a statute, and
Martinez-Salazar found the right existed in a rule. However, the Courts differed on the
20
remedy when a violation occurred–Phillips provided for automatic reversal while Martinez-
Salazar required a showing of prejudice. Clearly, Martinez-Salazar is the better approach
because it recognizes that when a defendant has been tried before an unbiased jury, he or she
has received exactly what the constitution guarantees. Consequently, a defendant should be
required to show prejudice resulting from the selection of an unbiased juror. To hold
otherwise results in an unjustifiable waste of judicial time and resources.
Thus, we now hold that a trial court’s failure to remove a biased juror from a
jury panel, as required by W. Va. Code § 62-3-3 (1949) (Repl. Vol. 2010), does not violate
a criminal defendant’s right to a trial by an impartial jury, if the defendant removes the juror
with a peremptory strike. In order to obtain a new trial for having used a peremptory strike
to remove a biased juror from a jury panel, a criminal defendant must show prejudice. The
holding in Syllabus point 8 of State v. Phillips, 194 W. Va. 569, 461 S.E.2d 75 (1995), is
expressly overruled.
Our decision to revisit and overrule Phillips and join the vast majority of courts
in the country that require a showing of prejudice when a defendant uses a peremptory strike
to remove a biased juror is not without precedent. This Court previously has revisited and
overruled precedent that afforded a defendant relief without showing prejudice. For
example, this Court held in State v. Vance, 146 W. Va. 925, 124 S.E.2d 252 (1962), that a
violation of W. Va. Code § 62-3-2 (1923) (Repl. Vol. 2010), requiring a defendant be present
21
during a trial, required an automatic reversal. In Vance, the defendant’s conviction for
statutory rape and his sentence of life in the penitentiary were reversed as a result of the
defendant voluntarily being absent for four or five minutes during a discussion of jury
instructions. Vance was later disapproved by this Court in State ex rel. Grob v. Blair, 158
W. Va. 647, 214 S.E.2d 330 (1975). We held in Syllabus point 6 of Blair that,
[i]nsofar as the decisions of State v. Vance, 146 W. Va.
925, 124 S.E.2d 252 (1962)[,] and its progenitors held that
prejudice is not a necessary element for reversal of a felony
conviction where the defendant was absent during a trial
occurrence in which anything was done affecting him, such
cases are disapproved.
158 W. Va. 647, 214 S.E.2d 330.
Similarly, in State v. Neuman, 179 W. Va. 580, 371 S.E.2d 77 (1988), this
Court held that it was reversible error for a trial court to fail to inform a defendant of his or
her constitutional right to testify. In State v. Salmons, 203 W. Va. 561, 509 S.E.2d 842(1998), this Court determined that an automatic reversal for a Neuman violation was not
legally sound. Consequently, we held the following in Syllabus point 15 of Salmons:
A violation of State v. Neuman, 179 W. Va. 580, 371
S.E.2d 77 (1988), is subject to a harmless error analysis. A
rebuttable presumption exists that a defendant represented by
legal counsel has been informed of the constitutional right to
testify. When a defendant is represented by legal counsel, a
Neuman violation is harmless error in the absence of evidence
that a defendant’s legal counsel failed to inform him/[her] of the
right to testify, or that the defendant was coerced or misled into
giving up the right to testify. When a defendant represents
him/[her]self at trial, a Neuman violation is harmless error where
it is shown that the defendant was in fact aware of his/her right
to testify and that the defendant was not coerced or misled into
22
giving up the right to testify.
203 W. Va. 561, 509 S.E.2d 842.
Finally, in State ex rel. Leonard v. Hey, 269 S.E.2d 394 (W. Va. 1980), and
Hundley v. Ashworth, 181 W. Va. 379, 382 S.E.2d 573 (1989), this Court found that a
preindictment delay of sufficient length was presumptively prejudicial to a defendant.
However, in State ex rel. Knotts v. Facemire, 223 W. Va. 594, 678 S.E.2d 847 (2009), we
revisited the presumptive prejudice of Hey and Hundley and found it to be legally unsound.
Consequently, this Court held the following in Syllabus point 2 of Facemire:
To maintain a claim that preindictment delay violates the
Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution and Article III, Section 10 of the West Virginia
Constitution, the defendant must show actual prejudice. To the
extent our prior decisions in State ex rel. Leonard v. Hey, 269
S.E.2d 394 (W. Va. 1980), Hundley v. Ashworth, 181 W. Va.
379, 382 S.E.2d 573 (1989), and their progeny are inconsistent
with this holding, they are expressly overruled.
223 W. Va. 594, 678 S.E.2d 847.
In sum, we are on solid legal ground with our decision to revisit and overrule
Phillips. Thus, if we had been persuaded by Mr. Sutherland that he removed a biased juror
with a peremptory strike, this fact alone would not have resulted in a new trial.
IV.
CONCLUSION
23
The order convicting Mr. Sutherland of first degree murder and sentencing him
to prison for life without mercy is affirmed.
Affirmed.
24