State v. Medrano

Sweeney, A.C.J.

Guillermo Medrano was charged with residential burglary. Residential burglary requires proof of, among other things, intent. Medrano admits burglarizing the home, but claims a combination of drugs and alcohol diminished his capacity and prevented him from forming the necessary intent to commit the crime. During voir dire, the State exercised one of its peremptory challenges and struck an African-American juror, who was a former public health nurse with experience with people high on drugs and alcohol as part of her job. Medrano objected. The State explained that the challenge…