People v. Grant

Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Jury
Citation
Case Number: 
2019 IL App (3d) 170185
Decision Date: 
Thursday, July 11, 2019
District: 
3d Dist.
Division/County: 
Peoria Co.
Holding: 
Affirmed.
Justice: 
CARTER

Defendant, who is African American, was convicted, after jury trial, of home invasion.  After opening statements, outside presence of jury, court noted that 2 jurors were starting to fall asleep, but to a much greater extent  "Juror B." On State's motion and over Defendant's objection, court dismissed "Juror B." (who was the only African American juror) for cause. Court did not deprive Defendant of equal protection or due process by removing "Juror B." for cause, as a race-neutral reason existed to do so: "Juror B." had fallen asleep during presentation of evidence.(SCHMIDT and LYTTON, concurring.)