Washington v. Jefferson

Tyree Jefferson was convicted by jury of first degree murder, first degree assault, and first degree unlawful possession of a firearm. On appeal, he challenged the State's use of a peremptory strike against the only African-American juror on the jury venire, contending the strike was exercised in a racially discriminatory manner. Further, Jefferson challenged the current Batson test, arguing it failed to address racial discrimination in jury selection. The Washington Supreme Court found the trial court did not err in finding no purposeful discrimination in the strike of the juror. The Court found, however, Jefferson's argument about the Batson test was well taken, modifying the Washington three-step inquiry with a new third step. View "Washington v. Jefferson" on Justia Law