Hunter v. Secretary for the Department of Corrections

Pro se Petitioner Stanley Hunter (“Petitioner”), a state prisoner, appeals the district court’s denial of his 28 U.S.C. § 2254 habeas petition. Petitioner argues that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to move to strike a specific juror. The district court did not err; we affirm.

In August 2002, Petitioner was charged with one count of first-degree murder. During voir dire, a potential juror, Ms. Drajem (“Drajem”), was asked whether she would be able to follow the court’s instructions during trial. She responded “I think so.” To another question about following the law as instructed…