The prosecutor in a first-degree murder case uses his peremptory challenges to strike nine African-American jurors, leaving only one African-American on the jury, which ultimately convicts.The California Court of Appeal says there's no Batson violation, but the trial court disagrees and grants habeas relief.The Ninth Circuit reverses.The panel consists of Judge Ikuta -- who authors the opinion -- Judge O'Scannlain, and a senior district court judge sitting by designation.P.S. -… [read post]

A reported question pre-trial was taken by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court in the matter of Commonwealth v. [read post]