People v. Beauvais

JUSTICE MÁRQUEZ,

dissenting.

¶65 I respectfully dissent. Without question, trial courts have “a pivotal role in evaluating Batson claims.” Snyder v. Louisiana, 552 U.S. 472, 477, 128 S.Ct. 1203, 170 L.Ed.2d 175 (2008). Because they work on the front lines of our legal system, trial judges “see and hear things that we on the appellate courts cannot see or hear,” including facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and other behavior relevant to making credibility determinations. People v. Beauvais, 2014 COA 143, ¶¶ 46-47, — P.3d -(Bernard, J., concurring in part, specially concurring in…