Valdez v. People

We granted certiorari to review the court of appeals’ decision in People v. Valdez, 946 P.2d 491 (Colo.App.1997), upholding the trial court’s determination that the defendant, Jacob R. Valdez (Valdez), failed to establish a prima facie showing of racial discrimination during the jury selection process.1 We now reverse.

I

In February 1995, a jury convicted the defendant of theft from an at-risk adult,2 attempted theft from an at-risk adult,3 two counts of second degree burglary,4 two counts of criminal impersonation,5and of being a habitual criminal.6 The charges stemmed from two incidents in…