Summers v. State

725 P.2d 1033, 1986 Wyo. LEXIS 614

• Court: Wyoming Supreme Court
• Decided: September 26, 1986
• Docket: 85-148
• Status: Published

Opinions

THOMAS, Chief Justice.

The paramount issue raised in this case is whether the trial judge by his intervention in the process of jury voir dire denied Henry Joseph Summers his right to a fair and impartial jury and in this way deprived him of his right to a fair trial. A corollary of this question is whether the judge erroneously refused to excuse members of the jury panel for cause. As additional grounds for reversal Summers asserts that the court erred in refusing to give an instruction on the right to arm oneself in defense of one’s person; that he was denied his right to a fair trial by the conduct of the prosecution in injecting racial prejudice into the case; and that the prosecutor impermissibly commented upon his exercise of his constitutional right to remain silent. We are persuaded that none of the matters argued by Summers constitute error. The judgment and sentence imposed by the district court is affirmed.

In his brief Summers propounds the issues as:

“1. Did the trial court deny Appellant his federal and state constitutional rights to a fair trial by fair and impartial jurors, by creating an atmosphere in which potential jurors were intimidated and afraid to express biases and prejudices, and by erroneously refusing to excuse jurors for cause who expressed biases or prejudices against the accused?

“2. Did the trial court commit reversible error by refusing to instruct the jury on the right to arm oneself in a self-defense situation?

“3. Was Appellant denied his federal and state constitutional rights to a fair trial by the prosecution’s injection of the issue of racial prejudice into the case? “4. Did the trial court err in refusing to grant a mistrial on the ground that the prosecutor impermissibly commented upon Appellant’s right to remain silent?”

The State of Wyoming offers as its statement of the issues:

“I. Was voir dire examination of prospective jurors properly conducted?

“II. Was it proper for the trial court to refuse appellant’s Instruction 18, which dealt with the ‘right to arm in the context of self-defense?

“HI. Was racial prejudice introduced into the trial through the cross-examination of the appellant and the direct examination of a rebuttal witness?

“IV. Did the prosecutor’s questioning of a police officer who investigated the shootings constitute an impermissible comment on appellant’s right to remain silent?”

The events which resulted in Summers’ prosecution for first degree murder and attempted first degree murder commenced in a bar in Rock Springs. In the bar Summers approached Richmond, White and De-Paola, and after exchanging words with DePaola Summers beat him up. Summers then left the bar with a friend of his, and they were followed by the other three men. Summers went to his car and obtained á pistol from the trunk. DePaola and Richmond had decided to let the matter drop, but White had continued to follow Summers. White struck Summers, and he was joined in this effort by DePaola. When they became aware that Summers had armed himself they ran off in different directions. Summers shot White as White was running away, and the bullet struck his lower left back. Summers then fatally shot Richmond who had grabbed Summers immediately after the shooting of White.

The charges filed against Summers were first degree murder for the death of Richmond and attempted first degree murder of White.¹ The appellant was bound over for trial in the district court, and following his plea of not guilty he was tried before a jury. The jury returned verdicts of guilty of second degree murder and attempted second degree murder.² The trial judge then sentenced Summers to a term of 35 years to life on each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. A more detailed account of the facts involved in the several contentions of error by Summers will be included in the discussion of the respective issues.

Summers’ primary claim of error relates to the jury selection process. He argues that the trial judge interjected himself into the voir dire examination of the jury panel in such a way that potential members of the jury were intimidated and became afraid to express their true feelings or the facts demonstrating their bias. The second aspect of this claim of error is that the trial judge erroneously refused, on two occasions, to excuse jurors for cause after they had expressed either bias or prejudice against the accused. He asserts that these rulings required him to utilize a peremptory challenge with respect to one of these two jurors thus preventing him from peremptorily challenging other jurors. In making this claim Summers demands that the court articulate the principles underlying proper voir dire so that similar miscarriages of justice will not occur in the future.

The procedural aspects of the examination of jurors and the process of jury selection is set forth in our court rules. Rule 25, W.R.Cr.P. provides in part:

“(a) Examination of jurors. — The parties, or their attorneys, may conduct the examination of prospective jurors, but such examination shall be under the supervision and control of the court, and the court may itself conduct such further examination as it deems proper.

“(b) Peremptory challenges. — In every case, including the selection of alternate jurors, the state shall be entitled to the aggregate number of peremptory challenges to which the defendant or defendants are entitled. If the offense charged is punishable by death, each defendant shall be entitled to 12 peremptory challenges. If the offense charged is punishable by imprisonment for more than one (1) year, each defendant shall be entitled to 8 peremptory challenges. * * *”

This rule is supplemented by Rule 701 of the Uniform Rules for the District Courts which provides:

“(a) The only purpose of voir dire is to select a panel of jurors who will fairly and impartially hear the evidence and render a just verdict.

“(b) The court shall not permit counsel to attempt to precondition prospective jurors to a particular result, comment on the personal lives and families of the parties or their attorneys, nor question jurors concerning the pleadings, the law, the meaning of words, or the comfort of jurors.

“(c) The court may inquire of the prospective jurors.

“(d) In voir dire examination counsel shall not:

“(1) Ask questions of an individual juror that can be asked collectively;

“(2) Ask questions answered in a juror questionnaire except to explore some answer in greater depth;

“(3) Repeat a question asked and answered;

“(4) Instruct the jury on the law or argue the case;

“(5) Ask a juror what his verdict might be under any hypothetical.

“(e) The court may assume voir dire if counsel fails to follow this rule. If the court assumes the voir dire, it may permit counsel to submit questions in writing.”

Consideration of the substantive aspects of jury selection in a criminal case begins with § 7-11-104, W.S.1977 which provides as follows:

“Challenge for cause shall lie with both the defense and the prosecution, and all challenges for cause shall be tried by the court on the oath of the person challenged, or on other evidence, and such challenge shall be made before the jury is sworn, and not otherwise.”

The challenges for cause are enumerated in § 7-11-105, W.S. 1977 which states:

“(a) The following shall be good cause for challenge to any person called as a juror on any indictment:

“(i) That he was a member of the grand jury which found the indictment;

“(ii) That he has formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the accused, or is biased or prejudiced for or against the accused;

“(ffi) In indictments for an offense, the punishment whereof is capital, that his opinions are such as to preclude him from finding the accused guilty of an offense punishable with death;

“(iv) That he is a relation within the fifth degree to the person alleged to be injured, or attempted to be injured, by the offense charged or to the person on whose complaint the prosecution was instituted, or to the defendant;

“(v) That he has served on a petit jury which was sworn in the same cause against the same defendant, and which jury either rendered a verdict which was set aside, or was discharged after hearing the evidence;

“(vi) That he has served as a juror in a civil case brought against the defendant for the same act;

“(vii) That he has been subpoenaed as a witness in the case.

“(b) The same challenges for cause shall be allowed in criminal prosecutions that are allowed to parties in civil cases.”³

The function of these procedural rules and substantive statutes is to effectuate the constitutional rights of an accused to due process of law and to be tried by an impartial jury. In Irvin v. Dowd, 366 U.S. 717, 81 S.Ct. 1639, 6 L.Ed.2d 751 (1961), the Supreme Court of the United States set forth the proposition that a fair trial is a fundamental requirement of due process and that a fair and impartial jury is one of the requirements for a fair trial. In that case the Supreme Court of the United States was concerned with pertinent aspects of the provisions in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America that no person shall be deprived of liberty without due process of law. The same right to due process is encompassed by Article 1, § 6 of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming. Furthermore, Article 1, § 10 of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming provides in part:

“In all criminal prosecutions the accused shall have the right to * * * a speedy trial by an impartial jury of the county or district in which the offense is alleged to have been committed. * * * ”

In the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America this principle is encompassed by the language that “the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury * * * ft

In addressing the relationship of voir dire examination of a jury to the concept of a fair trial this court has held:

“The object of voir dire examination of members of the jury panel is to explore the possibility that a prospective juror is subject to a challenge for cause under our statutes * * *.” (Emphasis added.)

* * * * * *

“ * * * Voir dire examination is designed to insure the right to a fair and impartial jury by affording the parties the opportunity to discover potential prejudices and biases which would interfere with the ability of potential jurors to fairly decide the case, and the preservation of that right to prove actual bias is an integral portion of the right of a defendant to an impartial jury.

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“ * * * Even though the availability of a peremptory challenge facilitates the process of the selection of an impartial jury * * *, still the purpose of the voir dire is not to explore for a reason for the exercise of the peremptory challenge.” Jahnke v. State, Wyo., 682 P.2d 991, 999, 1003 (1984).

We also have made it an affirmative duty on the part of the trial court to see that a jury of competent, fair and impartial persons is empaneled. Redwine v. Fitzhugh, 78 Wyo. 407, 329 P.2d 257, 72 A.L.R.2d 664 (1958). The purpose of voir dire to explore for possible grounds for challenge for cause under state statutes was reaffirmed in Gresham v. State, Wyo., 708 P.2d 49 (1985).

These cases which recognize the legitimate purpose of voir dire are consistent with the constitutional standard of fairness which does require that the defendant have a panel of impartial jurors. Collins v. State, Wyo., 589 P.2d 1283 (1979). Summers argues that this examination should not only be conducted to discover grounds for challenge for cause but also for the purpose of acquiring information to enable the party to intelligently exercise peremptory challenges. Certainly voir dire may have this serendipitous effect, but “[t]he entitlement is to a fair and impartial jury, not one sympathetic to the defendant.” Jahnke v. State, supra, 682 P.2d at 999. The limitations which are imposed upon voir dire by Rule 701, Uniform Rules for the District Courts are sound.

It is against this background that we evaluate the specific complaint in this case. Summers contends that the trial judge indicated to the jury “that jurors should not be open and honest about their biases and prejudices” and that jurors who expressed such feelings “would be embarrassed, degraded and intimidated by the trial court.” This argument is premised upon comments which the trial judge addressed to two veniremen during the course of the voir dire.

The first of these was a venireman by the name of Peterson, and the record discloses the following:

“THE COURT: Don’t you think you could decide this case on the evidence you hear in this courtroom?

“MR. PETERSON: I’m not sure. I don’t know for sure.

“THE COURT: I don’t think there’s enough there for challenge for cause. “MR. HONAKER: Because of your feelings about Mr. Richmond, you couldn’t follow the Judge’s instructions, could you?

“MR. PETERSON: I don’t think so, because of what I’ve heard from the people I work with and what I know about Mr. Richmond.

“THE COURT: And yet a while ago you said you could.

“MR. PETERSON: I meant to say I don’t know — I meant to say—

“THE COURT: You were asked by Mr. Moneyhun if you could follow the instructions of the Court and you said you could.

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“THE COURT: And you said you talked to people. You were already told that you’re to decide this case on the evidence you hear in this courtroom. And it might be a great deal different than what your friends told you.

“MR. PETERSON: Yes, Sir.

“THE COURT: Don’t you think you could sit here and listen to that evidence and decide on the evidence which you hear?

“MR. PETERSON: I’m not sure. I really don’t know, Your Honor, because—

“THE COURT: Can’t you sit there and find out?

“MR. PETERSON: I don’t think I can be fair in this case because of my familiarity with Mr. Richmond.

“THE COURT: No matter what happened?”

Following this dialogue the State stipulated that venireman Peterson could be excused for cause, and the court did so stating:

“I think he’s trying to get off of jury duty is what I really think. You’re excused for cause. Call another name, please.”

The other venireman was named VonGu-ten. Prior to Mr. VonGuten’s being excused for cause he had expressed concern because he was strongly opposed to any homicide committed even in self-defense. He had stated that his feelings would not make him incapable of rendering a fair and impartial verdict; but when Summers’ counsel continued to question him, he began to articulate personal feelings which might prevent him from rendering an impartial verdict. This dialogue then followed:

“THE COURT: What if you had to kill?

“MR. VONGUTEN: Only I can tell myself if I have to.

“THE COURT: But what if you had to, or it was yourself that was being attacked?

“MR. VONGUTEN: I would defend myself short of death.

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“THE COURT: Short of death? What if you couldn’t? What if the aggressor wouldn’t quit; he was going to kill you?

“MR. VONGUTEN: I think there are a lot of other things to do before you kill somebody.

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“THE COURT: Mr. VonGuten, I don’t think you’re thinking well.

“MR. VONGUTEN: Well, I’m just bringing my personal feelings into the courtroom.

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“THE COURT: You mean you can’t follow the law now; is that the idea?

“MR. VONGUTEN: Well, I’m just saying if it comes down to one or the other—

“THE COURT: You’re going to follow your personal convictions?

“MR. VONGUTEN: I don’t think it would help him in any way for me to go against that.

“THE COURT: I see. Discharged for cause.”

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These are the instances which Summers relies upon to demonstrate that the voir dire was conducted in an atmosphere in which he could not adequately explore the basis for challenges for cause. In examining this claim we must recognize that Rule 25, W.R.Cr.P., places voir dire examination under the supervision of the trial court. Deference is afforded to the judgment of the trial court in determining the permissible bounds of such an examination. Hopkinson v. State, Wyo., 632 P.2d 79 (1981), cert. denied 455 U.S. 922, 102 S.Ct. 1280, 71 L.Ed.2d 463 (1982). The burden is upon the party who challenges the ruling of the trial court to establish abuse of the trial court’s discretion. Jahnke v. State, supra.

In some respects this case is a sequel to Gresham v. State, supra. In that case the same judge questioned prospective jurors about their perceived biases. Having quoted some of the comments by the judge we pointed out that these were unnecessary comments. We held, however, that it was “not error for a judge to take steps to make a prospective juror understand that a supposed bias, * * * will not be grounds for successful challenge for cause if the prospective juror is able to consider the case only on the evidence presented in court under the law as instructed by the court, * * Gresham v. State, supra, 708 P.2d at 56. In this case the judge also made unnecessary comments such as his final statement to Peterson and his comment that VonGuten was not “thinking well.” We must remember, however, that the judge has “a duty to determine if any of the prospective jurors were so biased and prejudiced that they could not have rendered a fair and impartial verdict.” Gresham v. State, supra, 708 P.2d at 56. See also Lopez v. State, Wyo., 544 P.2d 855 (1976). While we encourage citizens of this country to be faithful to their civic duties, it is not realistic to assume that every member of the community is eager to serve on a jury, particularly in a criminal case. While these comments were unnecessary, they were intended to assist the court in attempting to insure that the veniremen understood that not all supposed biases necessarily serve as the basis for a successful challenge for cause.

Summers reminds us that we cannot discern from a written transcript the impact of what occurred in the courtroom. He argues that the exchanges quoted above had the effect of chilling any open and honest communication by the veniremen of their feelings, opinions, biases and prejudices. Our appellate process, however, affords no choice but for us to rely upon the material reflected in the transcript. It is from this information that we must evaluate the events in the courtroom.

One method of pursuing an objective analysis of the impact of what occurred with respect to voir dire is to examine the record chronologically. After the comments directed by the judge to venireman Peterson ten potential jurors admitted knowing something about the incident. One juror advised the court and counsel that she knew Summers’ sister, and a number of other veniremen answered that they were acquainted with potential witnesses. As some of the veniremen were replaced because of the exercise of peremptory challenges the replacements upon inquiry admitted potential bias. One of these, Mr. Shupe, unsuccessfully was challenged for cause after he related his working relationship with the victim Richmond. Venireman VonGuten was excused for cause when he explained that he could not condone killing in self-defense in any circumstance. His position was made known after the court theoretically had chilled honest communication because of the dialogue with venireman Peterson. Following the dialogue which led to Mr. VonGuten being excused other potential jurors continued to articulate perceived problems, including service on previous juries, acquaintance with an attorney involved in the case, and knowing a relative of Summers. Juror Drysdale admitted knowing the victim, and she stated an initial uncertainty about being completely unbiased. A perusal of the transcript demonstrates that contrary to the contentions of Summers, the unnecessary comments by the trial judge did not create an atmosphere which chilled the expression of possible bias or prejudice by veniremen.

We are constrained to express our concern about intemperate remarks by members of the trial bench in connection with voir dire examination. While it may not be likely that such remarks would deprive a party of his right to a fair and impartial jury, that possibility cannot be completely discounted. Inevitably they will provide a basis for an appeal complaining of such conduct. We recognize, as Justice Brown noted in his concurring opinion in Patterson v. State, Wyo., 691 P.2d 253, 271 (1984), cert. denied — U.S. -, 105 S.Ct. 2048, 85 L.Ed.2d 311 (1985), that trial courts often are faced with a number of reluctant veniremen. While such a problem is real the trial court should not deal with it in such a way that the accused is deprived of his constitutional right to an impartial jury. We are persuaded that this result did not ensue in this case because the record subsequent to the events complained of does not support Summers’ claim that the comments of the trial judge interfered with an appropriate exploration of possible challenges for cause.

A tandem argument presented by Summers in connection with voir dire is that the failure of the trial judge to excuse Mr. Shupe and Ms. Drysdale for cause demonstrated the inhibition upon the voir dire examination which resulted in an adverse impact upon his right to a fair trial. Upon examination Mr. Shupe disclosed that he worked with the deceased victim for a number of years and Summers claims Shupe should have been excused for cause because he articulated uncertainty about being a fair and impartial juror. Summers then used one of his peremptory challenges to dismiss Shupe from the jury. Ms. Drys-dale advised the court that she knew the same victim from a work relationship and she initially expressed concern about the ability to be completely fair. Unlike Shupe, however, she was not the subject of a peremptory challenge and she served on the jury which convicted Summers.

In Jahnke v. State, supra, we recognized that of the challenges for cause listed in § 7-11-105, W.S. 1977 the ground of bias or prejudice for or against the accused may be the most significant. This was the ground which Summers relied upon in challenging Shupe and Drysdale for cause. Whether jurors are impartial is a question of fact to be decided by the trial judge. Jahnke v. State, supra. We will defer to the determinations of the trial judge in connection with jury selection. Patterson v. State, supra. The justification for this deference is that the trial judge has the venireman before him and can observe his demeanor and the tenor of his answers. State v. Davis, 137 Ariz. 551, 672 P.2d 480 (1983). As is true with respect to the general question of credibility, this opportunity permits the finder of fact, in this instance the trial judge, to make a more accurate determination as to whether this individual can afford the accused a fair trial which is his constitutional right.

One commentator puts the matter in this way. “[Ajppellate courts do not reverse the determination of the trial court that a juror possessed the statutory qualifications and was free from bias unless there appears to have been a clear abuse of discretion.” 2 Wright, Federal Practice and Procedure, Criminal § 383 (2d ed. 1982). The same commentator makes the point that “courts put great, though not absolute, faith in the juror’s statement at voir dire that he will give the defendant a fair and impartial trial.” Id. The fact only that the potential juror knows “something about the case or even [has] an opinion about it is not sufficient to support a challenge.” Id. There was a time when restricted transportation required that “juries were often composed of neighbors and acquaintances who brought some personal knowledge of the defendant and of the incident to the trial. Nonetheless, the jury system developed as a fair and proper judicial device.” Chavez v. State, Wyo., 604 P.2d 1341, 1349 (1979), cert. denied 446 U.S. 984, 100 S.Ct. 2967, 64 L.Ed.2d 841 (1980). Our examination of the record does not disclose an abuse of discretion on the part of the trial judge in refusing to allow a challenge for cause of veniremen Shupe and Drysdale which was asserted on the ground that they did not meet the statutory requirement of lack of bias against the accused.

Venireman Shupe explained that he worked with the victim, Richmond, for seven years. Summers’ counsel asked him if he was “outraged” about Richmond’s death, and he responded that he was angry because it “[j]ust seemed a waste.” Summers relies upon the following dialogue to demonstrate error in refusing to dismiss venireman Shupe for cause:

“MR. HONAKER: Do you think that because of your deep feelings for Mr. Richmond that possibly this might not be the best case for you to serve on?

“MR. SHUPE: I don’t know. To be honest with you, I really don’t know.

“MR. HONAKER: Okay. Even after the Judge instructs you on the law, you’re still going to have those feelings for Mr. Richmond in the back of your mind, aren’t you?

“MR. SHUPE: I’m sure they’d be there, but I’d try to do my best.

“MR. HONAKER: You could try to set them aside, but you can’t guarantee us that you’d do that?

“MR. SHUPE: Not one hundred percent, no.

“MR. HONAKER: And you know, to serve as a juror, you have to give a hundred percent on the case; I’m sure you understand that?

“MR. SHUPE: Well, I’d listen to the evidence and decide best I could.

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“MR. HONAKER: Do you suspect him [Summers]?

“MR. SHUPE: Yes.

******

“MR. HONAKER: So if I can kind of sum things up, Mr. Shupe, because of the, you know, seven-year friendship with Mr. Richmond and the way you felt about him and you felt badly when he was killed, you felt outraged as time went on, you can’t guarantee us that you could put that out of your mind if you heard this case, could you?

“MR. SHUPE: Not one hundred percent, no.

******

“MR. HONAKER: What are you thinking right now?

“MR. SHUPE: I have some doubt about myself. I’ve always tried to be fair and unbiased with other people and stuff, but you never know what your sub-conscious makes you think.

“MR. HONAKER: But you feel some doubt about your ability to be fair and impartial in this case?

“MR. SHUPE: Some.

“MR. HONAKER: Would you mind if I asked the Judge to excuse you from this case?

“MR. SHUPE: No, I wouldn’t.”

After this dialogue between counsel and venireman Shupe the trial court asked Shupe:

“THE COURT: Sir, despite your knowledge of Mr. Richmond, do you believe that you could render a fair and impartial verdict on the evidence you hear in this courtroom and put aside any feelings you might have for Mr. Richmond?

“MR. SHUPE: I can try, Your Honor.

“THE COURT: Do you think you can do it?

“MR. SHUPE: Yes.”

Counsel for Summers then continued to question Shupe, and he renewed his challenge for cause. The court then asked Shupe, “Can you be fair or can’t you?” Shupe responded in unequivocal language by simply stating “yes, sir.” At that juncture the court refused to excuse Shupe for cause.

In the instance of venireman Drysdale, she testified that she knew the victim, and in response to questions concerning the effect that such knowledge would have she made equivocal statements. In her instance Summers relies upon this dialogue to assert a claim that Drysdale said she would place the burden upon him to produce evidence:

“MR. HONAKER: Because you knew Jim Richmond would it be hard for you ;to believe he was killed by someone in self-defense?

“MISS DRYSDALE: I’d say yes, from what I knew.

“MR. HONAKER: No matter what the evidence turned out to be, would you still kind of have a lingering—

“MISS DRYSDALE: Not if the evidence was overwhelming.”

We are not permitted to rely only upon these statements because in reviewing any determination of bias or prejudice we must look at the answers of the potential juror as a whole. Patterson v. State, supra.

Ms. Drysdale clarified these statements and demonstrated that she would not impose any burden of proof different from that which she was instructed to follow. When the prosecutor asked her what would happen if the State proved that the defendant might be guilty she responded, “Then he’s still innocent.” She said that she would place the burden on the State of proving Summers guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. In addition she said that she would follow the instructions given by the court. Following her statement that if the evidence was overwhelming she might believe that victim Richmond was killed by someone in self-defense, she responded in this way to inquiries by Summers’ counsel:

“MR. HONAKER: Do you think that because of your knowing Jim Richmond and because of what people have told you out there, that you might require the Defendant to prove his innocence to you?

“MISS DRYSDALE: No, I don’t really think that I would.

“MR. HONAKER: Would you, because of what you know, would you lighten the State’s burden of proof a little bit? Would it be easier for them to convince you?

“MISS DRYSDALE: No.

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“MR. HONAKER: Do you mean — -would you be coming into the case with a preconception that the Defendant probably is guilty, is that what you’re saying?

“MISS DRYSDALE: No, No. I don’t say that.”

These responses demonstrate that, contrary to Summers’ contention, Ms. Drys-dale would not invoke any different burden of proof than the correct one. This dialogue distinguishes the case from Patterson v. State, supra, in which it was clear that the juror who should have been excluded for cause unequivocally indicated that he would use a preponderance of the evidence, standard for the criminal case in issue. Ms. Drysdale responses did not leave anything to speculation in this instance. The clarification of her position specifically stated in the record demonstrates that she would require proof beyond a reasonable doubt of Summers’ guilt.

Our examination of the voir dire of Shupe and Drysdale does not permit a conclusion that the trial judge clearly abused his discretion. When we give the appropriate deference to his determination this record does not support such a conclusion. We have noted that Shupe was excused upon peremptory challenge. Even though Summers argues that Drysdale served on the jury because of the refusal to excuse her for cause and the appellant’s exhaustion of his peremptory challenges, the record reveals that at the time juror Drys-dale was answering questions on voir dire appellant had exercised his fifth peremptory challenge, and at that point his peremptory challenges were not exhausted as claimed.

Similar rulings on challenges for cause have been upheld in other jurisdictions. In Pyburn v. State, 175 Ga.App. 158, 332 S.E.2d 899 (1985), a juror explained that she was acquainted with the victim and would be biased in favor of the credibility of her acquaintance. When questioned by the court, however, she said she could put aside prior knowledge and judge the case fairly on the evidence. The court held there was no abuse of discretion in refusing to permit the juror to be excused for cause. In State v. Bashar, 188 Mont. 397, 614 P.2d 470 (1980), the juror challenged for cause was the dance instructor of the victim’s daughter. The daughter testified at the trial. When asked if she could be fair and impartial the juror said she did not think she could. Furthermore, she stated that she could not give positive assurance that she would give the defendant a fair trial, but when the trial court intervened and asked her about her position she stated she thought she could be a fair juror. Again it was held that there was no abuse of discretion to refuse the challenge for cause.

Summers specifically claims that he was prejudiced because he was forced to exercise a peremptory challenge against venireman Shupe who should have been excused for cause. See Parks v. State, Wyo., 600 P.2d 1053 (1979). In the context of pre-trial publicity this court has adopted the proposition that “[i]t is sufficient if the juror can lay aside his impression or opinion and render a verdict based on the evidence presented in court.” Collins v. State, supra, 589 P.2d at 1289, quoting from Irvin v. Dowd, supra. In this case the trial judge relied upon Shupe’s claim of impartiality when he refused to permit the challenge for cause. Shupe never stated that he could not give appellant a fair trial or follow the instructions given by the court. He only advised that he would have difficulty erasing all of his memory and feelings about Richmond from the subconscious. We do not require jurors to be completely unknowing as to the circumstances or people involved in the trial. We only ask them to be free from bias or prejudice and to be able to be fair. Shupe stated he could be fair, and the trial court took him at his word.

We find no error in the refusal to excuse Shupe for cause and similarly there was no error in Drysdale’s participation as a member of the jury. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in ruling upon the challenges for cause.

We turn then to Summers’ claim that error arose out of the refusal of the trial court to give the following requested instructions:

“You are instructed that the Wyoming Constitution absolutely entitles citizens of the State of Wyoming to bear arms in defense of themselves.

# * # * * *

“One who has reasonable grounds to believe that another will attack him, and that the anticipated attack will be of such a character as to endanger his life or limb, or to cause him serious bodily harm, has a right to arm himself for the purpose of resisting such attack.

“If the Defendant armed himself in reasonable anticipation of such an attack, that fact alone does not make the Defendant the aggressor or deprive the Defendant of the right of self-defense.”

The court did give the following instructions with respect to the appellant’s right of self-defense:

“Instruction No. 11

«* * * [I]f the Defendant had reasonable grounds to believe and actually did believe that he was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm from which he could save himself only by using deadly force against his assailant, he had the right to use deadly force in order to defend himself. ‘Deadly force’ means force which is likely to cause death or serious bodily harm.

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“Instruction No. 11A

“ * * * The claim of self-defense is not necessarily defeated if the Defendant used greater force in the heat of the fear generated in him by the alleged assault upon him than a reasonable person would have used while acting in a calm and rational manner.

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“Instruction No. 14

“Generally, the right to use self-defense is not available to one who is the aggressor or provokes the conflict. However, if one who provokes a conflict thereafter withdraws from it in good faith and informs his adversary by words or actions that he desires to end the conflict, and he is thereafter pursued, he then has the same right of self-defense as any other person.”

In addition the court gave two other instructions concerning self-defense which advised the jury that the defendant need not have retreated but could stand his ground and use such force as was reasonably necessary if he had reasonable grounds to believe and did believe that he was in imminent danger of serious bodily harm and that although he was justified in using deadly force in self-defensive attack the right of self-defense ceased when the apparent danger no longer existed.

Summers insists, however, that under Brown v. State, 80 Wyo., 12, 336 P.2d 794 (1959), the court erred in refusing his instructions concerning the right to arm himself. In Brown v. State, supra, this court cited 41 C.J.S. Homicide § 378c.(4) as reflecting the law relating to the duty to give an instruction on the right of an accused to arm himself. That section states in part:

“Where the court restricts the issue of self-defense by submitting the issue of provoking the difficulty, as considered supra subdivision b of this section, it should also instruct the jury as to accused’s right to arm himself in anticipation of danger, and, where such an instruction is warranted by the evidence, a refusal to give it constitutes error. Such an instruction, however, is neither necessary nor proper where such an issue is not raised by the evidence in the case, as where the evidence shows that, although accused was carrying a weapon at the time, he was doing so merely as was his usual custom, and not in anticipation of danger from deceased; nor is such an instruction required where the court instructs as to self-defense without any limitation as to provoking the difficulty.”

Brown v. State, supra, is an example of the general rule adopted in Wyoming that in reviewing questions involving instructions the trial court may refuse to give proposed instructions even if they are correct so long as the principles embodied in the requested instructions are covered by the other instructions which are given. Ostrowski v. State, Wyo., 665 P.2d 471 (1983). In Brown v. State, supra, we noted that the instruction stated that the defendant had a right to shoot to kill if necessary under certain conditions, and we held that that right necessarily included the right to arm.

In Summers’ trial the principles embodied in the requested instructions were covered by the instructions which were given. The right to defend oneself when in fear of serious bodily harm, even to the point of using deadly force, was included in Instruction No. 11. The proposition that Summers used deadly force and that did not alone deprive him of his right of self-defense was included in Instruction No. 11A. These two instructions, together with the other instructions which were given, encompassed the principles which were included in Summers’ requested instructions. It follows that it was not error to refuse to give his instructions. Snyder v. State, Wyo., 599 P.2d 1338 (1979).

Summers argues, however, that in absence of instructions on the right to arm himself the jury could adopt the view that this action was an unjustified act of premeditation. It may be that the requested instructions would have properly justified Summers’ act and refuted any conclusion of premeditation based solely upon that act. If this was the reason for requesting these instructions no harm was caused by the failure to cover this principle in the requested instructions because Summers was convicted of second degree murder which does not include an element of premeditation. From that perspective any error in failing to give the requested instructions did not affect a substantial right of Summers and may therefore be disregarded. Rule 49(a), W.R.Cr.P.

In his next contention of error, Summers presents the proposition that he was deprived of a fair trial because the State injected racial prejudice into the case and this unfair conduct is a ground for reversal. The issue arises because of the State’s cross-examination of Summers followed by testimony of a rebuttal witness. Defense witnesses had testified that Summers was a nonviolent person and had a reputation for being truthful. Upon cross-examination the prosecutor interrogated Summers as follows:

“Q. And your vocabulary doesn’t include the words that the Fernandez brothers used?

“A. No, I don’t use them type of words.

“Q. Does it include the word ‘nigger’ when referring to black people?

“A. No, no, I got respect for — .”

At that point Summers’ counsel objected and the trial judge ordered the line of questioning to be dropped which it was. The State then called a rebuttal witness who testified that, while he was at Summers’ car wash, Summers had struck him and stated “Listen, nigger, get out of here.” The State argues that this evidence properly was used to rebut the prior testimony relating to appellant’s polite demeanor and non-violent ways. Summers argues that the evidence was irrelevant and not admissible under Rule 402, W.R.E., or if relevant, it should have been excluded under Rule 403, W.R.E. He further argues that the inquiry by the prosecution was outside the scope of direct examination which made it impermissible under Rule 611(b), W.R.E. He also asserts the use of the evidence in rebuttal constituted a violation of Rule 608(b), W.R.E.⁴ Our general rule concerning the admission of evidence is well established. We hold that a ruling admitting evidence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of a clear abuse of discretion. Sanville v. State, Wyo., 593 P.2d 1340 (1979). If there is a legitimate basis for the trial court’s ruling with respect to admissibility we will not reverse on appeal. Hopkinson v. State, supra. With particular reference to the admission of character evidence we have held:

“[Wjhere the defendant first introduces evidence of his character, the prosecution may then explore the matter raised by the accused, both on cross-examination * * * and on rebuttal.” Kwallek v. State, Wyo., 596 P.2d 1372, 1378 (1979).

The record in this case shows that Summers first introduced evidence of his nonviolent character, and this was significant because of his claim to have been acting in self-defense. Other witnesses for the defense described Summers as someone who “never lied,” “would not start a fight,” and “was easy to get along with.” Summers testified that he “would never bother anybody unless I had to” and that he did not use the kind of language which had been attributed to him.

Summers has not demonstrated any clear abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court in admitting this testimony. Under the circumstances the testimony of the rebuttal witness and questions concerning use of the word “nigger” were relevant and not beyond the scope of direct examination. The testimony alluded to language which could provoke violence. Using the accused appellation and scuffling with the same person is relevant with respect to the issue of Summers’ propensity for violence. Summers’ claim that the prosecution was attempting to evoke a response because of racial prejudice is not supported by the record. There is no indication that any of the jurors, victims or the defendant in this case were black nor that the State was motivated to pursue any racial violence. The State was simply attempting to shed additional light upon Summer’s portrayal through his testimony of himself as a peaceful person. His use of “fighting words” in connection with an altercation is probative once evidence of his non-violent character trait has been introduced, particularly in a case in which the defense of self-defense is raised. The fact that the words used were racial slurs is simply a product of what occurred and would not, except in the most extreme circumstances, result in a conclusion that the probative value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice in violation of Rule 403, W.R.E. Furthermore, Rule 608(b), W.R.E., deals with a prohibition against specific instances of conduct of a witness to attack or support his credibility, but the rebuttal witness in this case testified as to a pertinent trait of the accused as permitted by Rule 404(a)(1), W.R.E. Rule 608(b), W.R.E., did not prevent the use of the testimony of the rebuttal witness.

The final contention presented by Summers is one that has been addressed in a number of cases. He claims that the prosecution made an impermissible comment upon his right to remain silent. He relies essentially on Westmark v. State, Wyo., 693 P.2d 220 (1984). The remark upon which this claim is premised is encompassed in the following testimony of the first police officer to arrive at the scene:

“A. * * * And he said, T shot him.’

“Q. Who said that?

“A. The Defendant, Mr. Summers.

******

“Q. Had you asked him any questions at that point?

“A. No, I just asked him what was going on.

“Q. That’s the first thing he told you?

“A. Yes, sir.

“Q. Did he tell you at that point why he shot him?

“A. No, sir.

“Q. Just ‘I shot him.’

“A. Yes, sir.”

The incident recounted by the officer occurred immediately upon his arrival at the scene before Summers had been arrested and before he had been given any advice of his constitutional rights in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966). This is the only statement in the record concerning Summers’ silence. Summers claims, however, that under West-mark v. State, supra, the comment is prejudicial per se and requires reversal. The line of cases which is involved reaches back to Clenin v. State, 573 P.2d 844 (1978) which established a prejudicial per se standard if a comment is made upon the exercise by the accused of his right to silence. That prejudicial per se rule was set aside in Richter v. State, Wyo., 642 P.2d 1269 (1982), which promulgated a harmless error standard for review. Richter then was overruled by Westmark v. State, supra, and the holding in Westmark recently was affirmed in Brewster v. State, Wyo., 712 P.2d 338 (1985). In Brewster v. State, supra, this court held that there can be no comment on the “silence following arrest.”

In Cheatham v. State, Wyo., 719 P.2d 612 (1986), we explained the justification for the rule followed in Clenin v. State, supra, and Westmark v. State, supra. Essentially that rule is premised upon the proposition that once an accused has been advised of his constitutional right to silence whether he does not speak from that point on is an equivocal circumstance. The cases followed in our Wyoming adoption of this rule are premised upon a proposition that it then is unfair for the State to suggest in any manner that the silence of the accused is incriminating. Like Cheatham v. State, supra, this case is distinguishable from the other authorities. This comment related to the circumstances which occurred immediately upon the officers’ arrival at the scene. It was a simple recitation that Summers had made no further comment, and it did not in any way address his exercise of his constitutional right of silence. While in Richter v. State, supra, the majority assumed that the comments related to post-arrest silence, we have not been confronted previously with any necessity for drawing a clear distinction between silence which occurs before arrest and silence which occurs after arrest. In this case that distinction is significant.

In Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 96 S.Ct. 2240, 49 L.Ed.2d 91 (1976), the Supreme Court of the United States held that the use for impeachment purposes of an accused person’s silence at the time of arrest and after receiving his Miranda warnings violated the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The court pointed out that silence following the Miranda warning may be nothing more than an exercise of those rights. The court said “Thus, every post-arrest silence is insolubly ambiguous because of what the State is required to advise the person arrested.” 96 S.Ct. at 2244. In Jenkins v. Anderson, 447 U.S. 231, 100 S.Ct. 2124, 65 L.Ed.2d 86 (1980), the Supreme Court then distinguished the use of pre-arrest silence for purposes of impeachment. In rejecting a defendant’s claim that use of his pre-arrest silence to impeach his credibility denied him the fundamental fairness guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, the Supreme Court said:

“[N]o governmental action induced petitioner to remain silent before arrest. The failure to speak occurred before the petitioner was taken into custody and given Miranda warnings. Consequently, the fundamental unfairness present in Doyle is not present in this case.” Jenkins v. Anderson, supra, 100 S.Ct. at 2130.

In the Jenkins case the Supreme Court also refuted a contention that use of the pre-ar-rest silence to impeach the defendant’s credibility violated the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of United States of America. The Court specifically recognized that a person facing arrest may not remain silent if his failure to speak can be used to impeach him at trial, but it pointed out that the Constitution does not forbid every government-imposed choice in the criminal process that has the effect of discouraging the exercise of constitutional rights, quoting Chaffin v. Stynchcombe, 412 U.S. 17, 93 S.Ct. 1977, 1984, 36 L.Ed.2d 714 (1973). This case then poses an issue as to whether the doctrine of Jenkins v. Anderson, supra, extends to a situation in which testimony concerning a defendant's silence prior to arrest is presented in the case in chief. Furthermore, we must consider Summers’ rights in the light of Art. 1, § 11 of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming as well as the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America.

Federal courts have considered but not resolved use of pre-arrest silence. In United States v. Caro, 637 F.2d 869 (2d Cir.1981), the Court of Appeals noted that it could not find any decision which permitted the use of silence, in the case of a suspect who had been given no Miranda warnings and was entitled to none, as part of the government’s case in chief. The court did not predict what the future impact of Jenkins might be. In United States v. Blanton, 730 F.2d 1425 (11th Cir.1984), the precise issue was presented in the form of a question as to “whether the prosecution may allude in its case in chief to a defendant’s pre-arrest silence in response to governmental questioning, where defendant subsequently takes the stand and testifies.” 730 F.2d at 1433. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals invoked a harmless beyond reasonable doubt rule, however, and did not then decide the question of whether the comment was error. In United States v. Caro, supra, the issue also was disposed of under a harmless error approach.

Addressing the question directly we hold that the use in the State’s case in chief of the pre-arrest silence of a defendant does not violate the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. The precise holding in Jenkins v. Anderson, supra, does not reach this proposition, but the rule is supported by the reasoning in that case. The question to be addressed is whether this use of a defendant’s silence impairs to any appreciable extent the policy represented by the Fifth Amendment right to silence. “[T]he central purpose of the Fifth Amendment privilege is to protect the defendant from being compelled to testify against himself at his own trial.” Jenkins v. Anderson, supra, 100 S.Ct. at 2131 (Stevens, J. concurring). In the context of a trial the failure of the accused to testify is presumed to be an exercise of his constitutional right and any comment on his failure to testify deters him from exercising that privilege. The circumstance of silence prior to the person being in custody cannot be presumed to be an exercise of the right not to testify against himself. “The Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination is not self-executing.” Roberts v. United States, 445 U.S. 552, 100 S.Ct. 1358, 1364, 63 L.Ed.2d 622 (1980). There is no reason to presume that a person under no official compulsion to speak is asserting his Fifth Amendment privilege in not speaking. It would seem fair under those circumstances in which the government has made no commitment to the defendant with respect to his silence that he should articulate his intention to exercise his constitutional privilege if that is what he is doing. Otherwise the use of the silence at trial does not impair the justification for the constitutional privilege.

There is nothing in Art. 1, § 11 of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming which compels a different conclusion. In the future we will follow Westmark v. State, supra, and Clenin v. State, supra, to the effect that Art. 1, § 11 of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming “any comment upon an accused’s exercise of his right of silence, whether by interrogation of the accused himself, or by interrogation of others inherently is prejudicial, and will entitle an accused to reversal of his conviction.” Clenin v. State, supra, 573 P.2d at 846. This rule should be limited, however, to comments upon the silence of the accused either after his arrest or after he has been advised of his constitutional right to remain silent. The State relies upon Parkhurst v. State, Wyo., 628 P.2d 1369 (1981), cert. denied 454 U.S. 899, 102 S.Ct. 402, 70 L.Ed.2d 216 (1981), for its argument that the responses by the officer were not a “comment,” but were only references to appellant’s silence. The State contends that this testimony does not fall under the rule of Westmark v. State, supra, and Olenin v. State, supra. We will not concern ourselves, however, with whether the response was a “comment” because of the rule we have announced with respect to pre-arrest silence.

Recognizing that dfcta in previous decisions might indicate that pre-arrest silence should be treated no differently than post-arrest silence we point out that those prior cases dealt with comments on post-arrest silence. Our holding does not mean that it is necessary for a person to be advised of his constitutional rights in order to be able to assert them. Westmark v. State, supra. This holding contemplates only that silence prior to the arrest of an accused will not be presumed to be an exercise of the accused’s rights pursuant to either the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States or Art. 1, § 11 of the Constitution of the State of Wyoming. In the absence of a showing that the silence constituted an exercise of the accused’s constitutional privileges the use of the silence at trial does not impermissibly infringe on the constitutional rights of an accused.

Summers has not sustained his burden on appeal of establishing an abuse of discretion in the conduct of the voir dire examination of the jury veniremen nor in the rulings with respect to his challenges for cause. He has failed to show in this regard that he was denied a fair trial. Furthermore, no error appears with respect to the refusal to give Summers’ requested instructions on the right to arm himself nor in the admission of evidence. Finally, the statements asserted to be a comment upon his exercise of his right of silence are not within the rule of our prior decisions and in this instance there was no error with respect to such testimony.

The judgment and sentence of the trial court based upon the verdicts of guilty of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder returned by the jury is affirmed.

1 . The statutes defining these offenses provide as follows:

§ 6-2-101 (a), W.S.1977 (June 1983 Replacement)

"(a) Whoever purposely and with premeditated malice, or in the perpetration of, or attempt to perpetrate, any sexual assault, arson, robbery, burglary, escape, resisting arrest or kidnapping, or by administering poison or causing the same to be done, kills any human being is guilty of murder in the first degree.” § 6-l-301(a)(i)

“(a) A person is guilty of an attempt to commit a crime if:

“(i) With the intent to commit the crime, he does any act which is a substantial step towards commission of the crime. A ‘substantial step’ is conduct which is strongly corroborative of the firmness of the person’s intention to complete the commission of the crime;

2 . The definition of second degree murder is found in § 6-2-104, W.S.1977 (June 1983 Replacement) as follows:

"Whoever purposely and maliciously, but without premeditation, kills any human being is guilty of murder in the second degree, and shall be imprisoned in the penitentiary for any term not less than twenty (20) years, or during life.”

3 . The challenges for cause adopted by reference are found in § 1-11-203, W.S.1977:

"(a) Challenges for cause may be taken on one (1) or more of the following grounds:

“(i) A lack of any of the qualifications prescribed by statute which render a person competent as a juror;

“(ii) Relationship by consanguinity or affinity within the third degree to either party;

“(iii) Standing in the relation of debtor or creditor, guardian or ward, master or servant, or principal or agent to either party, or being a partner united in business with either party, or being security on any bond or obligation for either party;

“(iv) Having served as a juror or a witness in a previous trial between the same parties for the same cause of action, or being then a witness therein;

“(v) Interest on the part of the juror in the event or question involved in the action, but not an interest of the juror as a member or citizen of a municipal corporation;

“(vi) Having formed or expressed an unqualified opinion or belief sis to the merits or the main question of the action. The reading of newspaper accounts of the subject matter before the court shall not disqualify the juror either for bias or opinion;

"(vii) The existence of a state of mind in the juror evincing enmity or bias for either party.”

4 . These Rules of Evidence provide:

"All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by statute, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court. Evidence which is not relevant is not admissible." Rule 402, W.R.E.

"Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence." Rule 403, W.R.E.

"(b) Specific instances of conduct. — Specific instances of conduct of a witness, for the purpose of attacking or supporting his credibility, other than conviction of crime as provided in Rule 609, may not be proved by extrinsic evidence. They may, however, in the discretion of the court, if probative of truthfulness or untruthfulness, be inquired into on cross-examination of the witness (1) concerning his character for truthfulness or untruthfulness, or (2) concerning the character for truthfulness or untruthfulness of another witness as to which character the witness being cross-examined has testified.” Rule 608(b), W.R.E.

"(b) Scope of cross-examination. — Cross-examination should be limited to the subject matter of the direct examination and matters affecting the credibility of the witness. The court may, in the exercise of discretion, permit inquiry into additional matters as if on direct examination." Rule 611(b), W.R.E.