Batson Violation in Queens Case

In People v. Hall (2d Dept. 7/14/2009), the Second Department has reversed a defendant's conviction for Robbery 1˚ and CPW 4˚ because the prosecutor used peremptory challenges against a black venireperson.  The court found the prosecutor's stated reasons---that the juror was in a "helping profession" and seemed to be of similar age to the defendant's mother, who was an alibi witness---to be pretextual.  The defense was able to point to other, non-black venirepersons who were also in the "helping professions" or who were also close in age to the defendant's mother but who were not struck.  (LC)