Vandefifer v. State

CORNELIUS, Chief Justice.

Francis Vandefifer was convicted of aggravated sexual abuse and assessed punishment by the jury at twenty years confinement. He appeals on four grounds of error based on the trial court’s refusal to grant a new trial. We overrule all grounds and affirm the judgment.

Vandefifer first argues he should have been granted a new trial because he was prevented from using a peremptory challenge to excuse Juror Marilyn Zanolli Hart. Vandefifer was charged with sexually abusing John Henthorne, a thirteen-year-old boy. During voir dire of the jury panel, defense counsel asked if…