State of Iowa
v.
Dustin Elliott Williams
Appellee
State of Iowa
Appellant
Dustin Elliott Williams
Attorney for the Appellee
Louis S. Sloven, Assistant Attorney General
Attorney for the Appellant
Theresa R. Wilson, Assistant Appellate Defender
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals Opinion
Opinion Number:
Date Published:
Summary
Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Polk County, Jeffrey Farrell, Judge. AFFIRMED. Considered by Bower, C.J., Tabor, J., and Vogel, S.J. Opinion by Tabor, J. (9 pages)
Dustin Williams appeals the denial of his Batson challenge following his convictions for possession of controlled substances. See generally Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986). He contends the State struck a “multiracial” potential juror in violation of the Equal Protection Clause. The State responds the prosecutor had a credible, race-neutral reason for the strike, and the district court correctly denied the challenge. OPINION HOLDS: Relying on the perceptions of the district court, we also find the Batson challenge should be denied.
