State v. Jackson

Ronald Lamar Jackson appeals his conviction for one count of first degree robbery and one count of first degree burglary, arguing that the trial court erred by denying his motion for a new trial based on a juror’s alleged racial bias and misconduct during voir dire. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

During late 1991, the State charged Jackson, who is African-American, with robbery in the first degree and burglary in the first degree. At trial Jackson defended the charges on an alibi theory. Prior to the jury voir dire, the trial judge made the following opening remarks:

The whole purpose…