Petitioner filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, which the court granted as to the Batson claim, and consolidated with an appeal filed by Knight. See People v. Rice, 470 Mich. 869, 682 N.W.2d 85 (2004) (table). On July 21, 2005, in a 4–3 decision, the Michigan Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the intermediate appellate court.