Winfield v. Commonwealth

Opinion

WILLIS, J.

In this appeal, we consider whether the trial court erred in finding that the Commonwealth’s Attorney satisfied the requirements of Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986), in explaining his exercise of peremptory strikes against four black veniremen. We find no error and affirm.

Doretha Winfield, a black woman, was charged with distribution of more than one-half ounce but not more than five pounds of marijuana. She elected to be tried by jury. The venire consisted of eleven white persons and nine black persons, all determined upon voir dire to be free from exception.…