Juror's Objection to Lack of Diversity in Jury Panel Results in New Trial

The issue of racial makeup of juries came to a head when a juror arose in a Tennessee courtroom and stated that he felt it was unfair for two black men to be tried when no person of color was on the jury panel.
Here is a link to the newspaper article which discusses BATSON challenges to an attorney's peremptory strikes of jurors.  If there is an objection to a strike as being racially-motivated, the striking lawyer must establish a race-neutral basis for striking that juror.


The fact relevant to this blog is that it is alleged that during a break the juror's were discussing this issue, thereby violating the judge's admonition not to discuss the case:


http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2016/04/25/nashville-jurors-objection-race-leads-new-trial/83290360/

The Unusual Precaution of Sequestration During an Entire Trial: Being Cut Off From All Media

Jurors are usually not sequestered during deliberations, but if sequestered then only during deliberations.  I have seen it suggested that jurors be sequestered during the entire trial, not just deliberations, to prevent violations of the court's orders not to do Internet research or discuss the case on social media.  Here is an article about life for jurors so sequestered:


Linkhttp://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/davidson%20/2016/04/15/life-sequestered-juror-vanderbilt-rape-case/82993214/

In Widely-Followed NY Trial, Juror Fails to Disclose Father Went to Prison; Also Fails to Disclose Pre-trial Anti-Police Posts on Social Media; Conviction in Jeopardy

Former NY police officer was convicted of manslaughter.  The juror lied during voir dire about any family members having been accused of a crime.  He also posted anti-police comments on social media prior to trial.  Some speculate that he really wanted to serve on the jury.  Defense counsel are seeking a new trial. 


LINK:  http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/14/nyregion/juror-imperils-conviction-of-peter-liang-ex-officer-in-brooklyn-killing-of-akai-gurley.html?emc=eta1&_r=2

MN Judge Did Not Err in Immediately Excusing Juror Drunk During Deliberations

In a decision reported March 14 the Minnesota Court of Appeals found that a MN judge did not err in not sua sponte excusing a drunk juror during deliberations who had also been disruptive during lunch at a restaurant.   The criminal defendant's counsel chose to ask the court to dismiss the jury for the day.  This occurred and the juror deliberated the next day and the defendant was found guilty and appealed.  This case also raises the question of how much inquiry the judge can make of the juror without first offering the juror the opportunity to consult an attorney before incriminating herself for contempt of court for being drunk at court.

Is Criminalizing Juror Misconduct the Only Solution?

Here is a link to a thought-provoking article about criminalizing juror misconduct related to social media.  The author states that deterrence is the primary goal, but comments at the end on the various objections to this approach:


1.  It impedes the trial judge's ability to inquire into the misconduct; the alleged "bad juror" can refuse to incriminate themselves by responding to the judge's inquiry.


2.  Judges are resistant to the legislature intruding in the court's province, the courtroom.


3.  Jurors will be even more discouraged from even showing up for jury duty.


The article is short and worthy of reading.


http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1762&context=ndjlepp