Jesse Crespin v. Brian Hawes

MEMORANDUM

Petitioner-Appellant Jesse Joe Crespin, a state prisoner, appeals the district court’s denial of his habeas petition, which raised a single claim under Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 , 106 S.Ct. 1712 , 90 L.Ed.2d 69 (1986). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

During voir dire in Crespin’s retrial, the prosecutor used a peremptory challenge to strike prospective juror Obregon, a Hispanic female. Crespin’s counsel objected under People v. Wheeler, 22 Cal.3d 258 , 148 Cal.Rptr. 890 , 583 P.2d 748 (1978) , contending that the prosecutor had excused Obregon because of her race. The prosecutor stated that she had excused Obregon because Obregon had indicated on her juror questionnaire that her nephew had been arrested for or charged with armed robbery.

The trial court denied Crespin’s Wheeler motion. The trial court’s determination as to whether the prosecutor’s explanation for dismissing a member of the venire is credible must be accorded substantial defer ence. Rice v. Collins, 546 U.S. 333, 338-39 , 126 S.Ct. 969 , 163 L.Ed.2d 824 (2006). As long as the prosecutor presents a “comprehensible reason” and her motive is not inherently…