State v. Johnson

OPINION

O’BRIEN, Justice.

This is a direct appeal by defendant, Ers-kine Leroy Johnson from his conviction of first degree murder and sentence of death imposed by the jury. Defendant had the benefit of the services of dual retained counsel at trial. Separate briefs have been filed and a number of issues have been raised. We first consider charges of reversible error purportedly occurring during the impanelling of the jury.

Both defense counsel have asserted on this appeal that defendant was denied a fair and impartial trial as a result of the exclusion of members of his race from the jury…