In People v. Payne (88 NY2d 172) stated: "At the third step, trial courts are authorized to act on outlandish or entirely evanescent assertions, even if they appear race neutral on their face. At this last step, 'the trial court determines whether the opponent of the strike has carried his burden of proving purposeful discrimination' ... although 'a trial judge may choose to disbelieve a silly or superstitious reason' put forth by the striking party, that Judge is not required to do so, and must in all cases make a step three pretext determination."