Randy White v. Roger L. Wheeler.

Summary

The Supreme Court reversed the Sixth Circuit, holding that the appellate court failed to give the required deference under AEDPA to the Kentucky Supreme Court’s decision that the trial judge properly excused a juror whose answers were ambiguous about the death penalty. The Court affirmed that the juror’s ambiguous statements did not constitute substantial impairment and therefore did not violate the Sixth Amendment. Accordingly, the death sentence stands and the habeas relief is vacated.