Jury selection in the Fr. Gerald Robinson murder case in Toledo raises an interesting constitutional question: Is there a right to keep one's religious beliefs private? As the Toledo Blade reports today, potential jurors in the high profile case have been quizzed extensively about their religious backgrounds and beliefs. Several have been disqualified from serving either because their beliefs would make it difficult for them to convict a priest, or because they have anti-Catholic views. Admittedly this case-- where a former priest is accused of murdering a nun in a Catholic chapel-- is one where religious beliefs are relevant in assessing jury bias. However, suppose a potential juror objects to disclosing of his or her religious beliefs?
There seems to be surprisingly little precedent on this issue. Back in 1960, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case that might shed some light on the question. In Shelton v. Tucker, 364 U.S. 479 (1960), the Court, in a 5-4 decision, struck down an Arkansas statute that required public school teachers to list every organization to which they had belonged or regularly contributed during the prior 5 years. The Court held that this requirement chilled teachers' 1st Amendment associational rights. It places pressure on teachers to avoid unpopular or minority organizations. The case as to jurors, however, is closer. The inquiry is more narrowly drawn-- they are not being asked about every organization to which they belong-- and the state interest is very strong. However, it is still troubling to contemplate the individual who is a member of an unpopular religious group being forced into court and quizzed at length on his or her beliefs.
