Burkett v. State

Johnson, Judge.

After a jury trial, Darren Burkett was found guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He appeals from the conviction entered on the verdict.

1. Burkett contends the trial court erred in disallowing five of his peremptory strikes and reseating the jurors on the panel after he gave race-neutral reasons for exercising the strikes. We agree and reverse.

During jury selection, Burkett, an African-American, exercised all 11 of his peremptory strikes against white veniremen. The state challenged the strikes pursuant to Georgia v. McCollum, 505 U. S. 42 (112 SC 2348,…