McKee v. State

The only issue considered by the majority opinion is whether the trial court erred in refusing to disqualify a prospective juror. The majority reverses. I disagree and respectfully dissent.

The record shows that prospective juror Marcia Nix was the wife of Detective Claude Nix who had transcribed defendant’s statement during his interrogation at the sheriffs office and later swore out the warrant for defendant’s arrest. Defense counsel moved that she “be struck for cause” on the ground that she was closely related to a state’s witness, who “might even be the prosecutor.” The trial court denied…