99-2722, 99-2765 U.S. v. Williams, et al.

By: dmc-admin//November 19, 2001//

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“The district court here found the government’s reasons to be adequate and race-neutral. We agree that the reason stated is clear, specific and related to the case. The government had some information that Juror P could be related to a family known to the local police for its drug activities. Juror P resided in a relatively small town, and the government was concerned that, although he claimed not to recognize any of the names on the witness list, he might recognize witnesses once he saw them. In the middle of the jury selection process, the government obviously had no time to investigate and verify this suspicion regarding Juror P. The district court believed the government’s stated reasons to be its real reasons, and we see no reason to second guess that judgment. We therefore affirm the district court’s ruling on the Batson challenge.”

Affirmed.

Appeals from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Stiehl, J., Rovner, J.

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