Rodriguez v. State

Appellant, Jason Rodriguez, was convicted of battery on a law enforcement officer *495and resisting an officer with violence. His sole argument on appeal is that the trial court erred in allowing the state’s peremptory strike of a black prospective juror. We affirm.

When defense counsel requested a race-neutral reason for striking Robert Cook, a black church pastor, the prosecutor explained that he believed that Cook, as a pastor, would be sympathetic. The prosecutor acknowledged that Cook said his personal or religious beliefs would not prevent him from sitting in judgment of others. However, the…