Trial court improperly denied the defense’s challenge for cause when it failed to exercise independent judgment regarding a prospective juror’s ability to be fair. The trial court erroneously concluded it was “stuck” with the juror’s self-assessment regarding fairness despite the court’s own doubts based on the juror’s prior relationship with the murder victim. The opinion’s guidance for future cases emphasizes that doubts about a potential juror’s impartiality should be resolved in favor of excusing the juror. Convictions and death judgment reversed in full. [Editor’s Note:  Justice Groban’s concurrence, joined by Justices Liu and Evans, observes that the constitutionality of executing a severely mentally ill defendant who is nonetheless legally sane and competent will soon need to be addressed.]

The full opinion is available on the court’s website here: https://www4.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/S092615.PDF