The People of the State of New York, Appellant v. Karim Johnson, Respondent; the People of the State of New York…

Summary

The Court held that when a prospective juror expresses doubt about impartiality and fails to give an unequivocal assurance of fairness, a challenge for cause must be granted; it affirmed the Appellate Division’s reversal of convictions in People v Johnson and People v Sharper, and reversed the Appellate Division’s affirmation in People v Reyes, ordering a new trial. Justice Bellacosa dissented, arguing that the trial courts’ discretion should not be overridden.