Jennings v. State

SHIVERS, Judge.

Appellant/defendant appeals his conviction of attempted armed robbery, arguing that the trial court erroneously overruled his objection to the State’s peremptory challenge of a black juror. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

In State v. Neil, 457 So.2d 481 (Fla.1984), the Florida Supreme Court held that a party concerned about opposing counsel’s use of a peremptory challenge must make a timely objection, demonstrate on the record that the challenged persons are members of a distinct racial group, and demonstrate on the record the existence of a strong likelihood that the…