Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

Jury Selection in a Death Penalty Case

Hi, recently I served Jury duty. I was selected to be interviewed to possibly be seated on a death penalty case. I was called back on a second day to be asked questions by the attorneys. At that time I let them know that I had personal reservations about voting for death under just about any circumstances. My assumption was that this alone would probably exclude me from a jury. However at that point I was pressed to explain myself further on my thoughts. At that time I said that I could only vote for the Death Penalty if I felt that the convicted was ''Truly Evil''. Well almost the second the word ''Evil'' came out of my mouth, I was excused in a flurry. My question is why? Specifically did it have anything to do with my use of the term ''Evil'' and that it is possibly more of a religous distinction than a legal one?

Thank You


Asked on 3/04/05, 5:31 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
ERICK PLATTEN LAW OFFICE OF ERICK PLATTEN

Re: Jury Selection in a Death Penalty Case

For you to have been chosen you would have had to give a more affirmative answer as to whether or not you could asses the punishment for death.

Death Penalty jurors must be able to assess the final punishment for them to be jurors.

You should be happy that you will not have to make that decision with someone's life.

Sincerely,

Erick Platten

Platen Law Office

TylerJustice.com

903-593-9100

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Answered on 3/10/05, 12:52 am


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