Powell v. State

The appellant, Donald Randall Powell, was convicted after a jury trial of unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, in violation of § 13A-12-211, Code of Alabama 1975. He was sentenced as a habitual offender to life in prison plus five additional years' imprisonment pursuant to § 13A-12-250 because the sale for which he was convicted occurred within three miles of an educational institution.

I

The appellant argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion pursuant to Batson v. Kentucky,476 U.S. 79, 106 S.Ct. 1712, 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986). The state used four of its seven strikes to…