First hour: Discussing the state of vaccines and vaccine exemptions
Second hour: Understanding the Batson Challenge and how juries are constructed
New York State is joining a growing list of states that have banned religious exemptions for vaccines. And while the state passed the ban this year, most of the delegation representing the Rochester and Finger Lakes area voted to save religious exemptions. Many local doctors have expressed their frustration about that. They join us to discuss the state of vaccines. Our guests:
- Dr. Elizabeth Murray, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics and pediatrician at Golisano Children’s Hospital
- Dr. Steve Cook, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and pediatrician at Golisano Children’s Hospital
- Dr. Michael Mendoza, M.D., Monroe County Public Health Commissioner
Then in our second hour, can prosecutors exclude potential jurors if that person is black? A law called the Batson Challenge says no; in practice, the answer is yes. But the Supreme Court recently weighed in to say that prosecutors can’t blatantly eliminate all possible jurors of color in an effort to stack the jury pool. This is an issue with an ugly history in this country. Our guests debate how juries are constructed, the Batson Challenge, and what the law should – and shouldn’t – say. In studio:
- Mark Foti, attorney with the Foti Law Firm
- Aaron Frazier, attorney with Harris Beach
- William Easton, attorney with ETKS Defense
- Don Thompson, partner at Easton Thompson Kasperek Shiffrin LLP
