State v. Green

Gregory, Chief Justice:

*96Appellant was convicted of possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. He was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment and fined twenty-five thousand dollars. The only issue before us is whether the Solicitor’s use of peremptory challenges violated Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S. Ct. 1712, 90 L. Ed. (2d) 69 (1986). The trial judge found no violation. We affirm.

Appellant is a black male. On appeal, he contests the validity of the Solicitor’s race-neutral explanation that he struck two potential black jurors on the ground they were unemployed. Appellant…