State v. Ruiz-Martinez

Defendant was convicted of manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the fourth degree, and driving under the influence of intoxicants. ORS 163.125; ORS 163.160; ORS 813.010. Defendant, who is of Hispanic descent, contends that the trial court erred in determining that the prosecutor’s peremptory challenge of the only Hispanic member of the prospective jury panel did not violate his right under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution to equal protection of the laws. 1 We affirm.

Defendant drove his van through a red light at a speed of about 70 miles per hour and…