Case Title: Durham v. State

Citation: 

Docket Number: 227, 2004

State: delaware

Court: Delaware Supreme Court

Date: 2005-01-12T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE 
 
MICHAEL DURHAM,  
 
) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
)  No. 227, 2004 
 
 
Defendant Below,  
) 
 
 
Appellant,  
 
)  Court Below:  Superior Court 
 
 
 
 
 
 
)  of the State of Delaware in 
v. 
 
 
 
 
 
)  and for Kent County 
 
 
 
 
 
 
) 
STATE OF DELAWARE, 
 
)  Cr. ID No. 0208019524A 
 
 
 
 
 
 
) 
 
 
Plaintiff Below, 
 
) 
 
 
Appellee. 
 
 
) 
 
Submitted:  December 1, 2004 
Decided:  January 12, 2005 
 
Before STEELE, Chief Justice, HOLLAND and BERGER, Justices. 
 
Upon appeal from the Superior Court.  AFFIRMED. 
 
 
Sandra W. Dean, Office of the Public Defender, Dover, Delaware, for 
appellant. 
 
 
John Williams, Department of Justice, Dover, Delaware, for appellee. 
 
 
 
 
 
STEELE, Chief Justice: 
 
2
 
Michael Durham appeals his multiple felony convictions in the Superior 
Court, claiming the trial judge erred by denying his postverdict motion for a new 
trial.  Durham argued in his motion that a sleeping juror denied him a fair trial.  
After conducting a hearing, the trial judge found no evidence that the juror actually 
fell asleep.  Because the trial judge’s findings are supported by competent 
evidence, we find no abuse of discretion.  Accordingly, we affirm. 
I. 
In August 2002, Durham and two others entered Michael Taylor’s Dover 
home seeking money.  The three physically accosted and chased Taylor throughout 
the house.  One, carrying a handgun, fired at Taylor.  Another punched him in the 
face.  By the time police arrived, all three had fled.  Suffering from various 
injuries, Taylor identified his assailants as Durham, Quentin Henry, and one he 
knew only as “Peebo.”  Durham was later tried before a jury in Superior Court and 
convicted of first-degree burglary, first-degree attempted robbery, and a variety of 
firearms and other charges.1 
 
Following the initial afternoon of jury deliberations, Durham orally moved 
for a mistrial, contending for the first time that Juror Number Nine slept during 
parts of the trial.  The trial judge reserved decision on the motion, the trial 
                                                 
1  
State v. Durham, Del. Super., I.D. No. 00161286 (Dec. 4, 2003). 
 
3
continued, and the jury ultimately returned its verdict.  Durham then moved for a 
new trial.  The trial judge conducted an evidentiary hearing in January 2004, taking 
testimony from a corrections officer, bailiff, and two members of the gallery 
present at trial.  Juror Nine also testified. 
 
In his March 2004 order, the trial judge recounted the evidence.  He noted 
that although the two observers stated Juror Nine closed her eyes and put her head 
down at various times, neither thought she was actually asleep.  The bailiff, present 
for the entire trial, testified that he “never saw her sleeping.”  Juror Nine also 
insisted she was attentive throughout the trial.  Based on this evidence, the trial 
judge found that, even if Juror Nine was “fighting sleep,” this fact alone neither 
proved that she slept or was otherwise inattentive during the proceedings.  He 
therefore found that Juror Nine’s conduct did not prejudice Durham and denied the 
motion for a new trial.2    
II. 
It is well established in Delaware that the trier of fact is “the sole judge of 
the credibility of the witnesses and responsible for resolving conflicts in the 
testimony."3  When supported by competent evidence, we will not disturb a trial 
                                                 
2  
State v. Durham, 2004 Del. Super. LEXIS 59.  The testimony and trial judge’s 
findings are recounted in id. at *2-4. 
3  
Tyre v. State, 412 A.2d 326, 330 (Del. 1980). 
 
4
judge’s findings of fact.4  We review the grant or denial of a new trial for abuse of 
discretion.5   
In criminal proceedings, “the truth of every accusation . . . should . . . be 
confirmed by the unanimous suffrage of twelve . . . equals and neighbors, 
indifferently chosen and superior to all suspicion.”6  A violation of this right to a 
fair trial, codified in the Sixth Amendment, renders any finding of guilt void.7  In 
the juror misconduct context, however, a defendant is entitled to a new trial “only 
if the error complained of resulted in actual prejudice or so infringed upon 
defendant's fundamental right to a fair trial as to raise a presumption of prejudice."8  
Thus, where a defendant can demonstrate a “reasonable probability of juror taint of 
an inherently prejudicial nature, a presumption of prejudice should arise that [a] 
                                                 
4  
See, e.g., Weedon v. State, 788 A.2d 132 (Del. 2001); Albury v. State, 551 A.2d 
53, 60 (Del. 1988); cf. DeJesus v. State, 655 A.2d 1180, 1191 (Del. 1995) (holding that trial 
judge’s factual findings will be upheld unless “clearly erroneous”).   
5  
Barriocanal v. Gibbs, 697 A.2d 1169, 1171 (Del. 1997). 
6 
Flonnery v. State, 778 A.2d 1044, 1050-1051 (Del. 2001), quoting 4 WILLIAM 
BLACKSTONE, COMMENTARIES *343. 
7 
See, e.g., United States v. Freitag, 230 F.3d 1019, 1023 (7th Cir. 2000). 
8  
Hughes v. State, 490 A.2d at 1034, 1043 (Del. 1985).   
 
5
defendant’s right to a fair trial has been infringed. . . .”9  The trial judge, 
nonetheless, has “wide discretion in deciding how to handle a sleeping juror.”10  
III. 
Regardless of whether Juror Nine actually slept or simply struggled to stay 
awake, Durham claims that a juror in either frame of mind cannot fully participate.  
Because Juror Nine was “arguably” sleeping throughout most of the proceedings, 
Durham contends he was deprived of the due-process and fair-trial guarantees 
embedded in the Fifth and Sixth Amendments.   
In Bialach v. State,11 the defendant moved for postconviction relief, claiming 
that a juror slept through closing arguments and jury instructions.  The prosecutor 
alluded to this fact in a post-instruction dialogue between counsel and the trial 
judge, joking that he and defense counsel had put one of the jurors to sleep.  
Bialach seized on this remark as evidence of a sleeping juror, and thus urged the 
trial judge to reverse the jury’s finding of guilt.  The trial judge denied his motion. 
                                                 
9 
Massey v. State, 541 A.2d 1254, 1257 (Del. 1988); see generally George L. Blum, 
Annotation, Inattention of Juror from Sleepiness or Other Cause as Ground for Reversal or New 
Trial, 59 A.L.R. 5th 1 (2003) (collecting cases). 
10 
Bialach v. State, 773 A.2d 383, 386 (Del. 2001), citing Tanner v. United States, 
483 U.S. 107, 113-14, 127 (1987).  See also United States v. Springfield, 829 F.2d 860, 864 (9th 
Cir. 1987) (“The [district court] had discretion to resolve the problem of the sleeping juror.  It 
considered carefully the testimony missed during the nap and found that it was insubstantial.  We 
find no abuse of discretion in the method used to remedy the situation.”). 
11 
773 A.2d 383 (Del. 2001). 
 
6
On appeal, we affirmed, noting that the remark was meant – and understood 
by the trial judge – to be facetious.  We noted that there was “no record evidence at 
all to support Bialach’s allegation that any juror was asleep.”12  Because of this 
lack of evidence, and other procedural defects in Bialach’s claim, we had no 
occasion to discuss the constitutional ramifications of a sleeping juror. 
Several federal courts, on the other hand, have encountered these claims, and 
have generally disallowed them.13  To warrant a new trial, defendants must 
demonstrate the juror misconduct resulted in prejudice that deprived them of the 
right to a fair trial.14  To prevail on a sleeping-juror claim, the defendant must show 
that prejudice resulted from the jury ignoring “essential portions of the trial.”15  
Thus, some courts have held that a new trial is not warranted where a juror slept 
                                                 
12 
Bialach, 773 A.2d at 386. 
13 
See, e.g., United States v. Tierney, 947 F.2d 854, 868-69 (8th Cir. 1991) 
(defendant’s assertions that jurors slept through “critical” parts of defendant’s case “too vague to 
establish prejudice”); United States v. Springfield, 829 F.2d 860, 864 (9th Cir. 1987) (defendant 
not deprived of right to fair trial and impartial jury where sleeping juror missed “insubstantial” 
testimony).  But cf. United States v. Bradley, 173 F.3d 225, 230 (3d. Cir. 1999) (observation of 
snoring juror by trial judge and law clerk justified preverdict dismissal from jury panel). 
14 
United States v. Clapps, 732 F.2d 1148, 1152 (3d. Cir. 1984) (defendants had to 
show “likelihood of prejudice” to secure new trial). 
15 
United States v. Ortiz, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10856 (E.D. Pa.), citing United 
States v. Hendrix, 549 F.2d 1225, 1229 (9th Cir. 1977). 
 
7
through the jury charge,16 or even the “critical presentation of [defendant's] 
evidence and the cross-examination of witnesses for the prosecution."17  
Although trial judges have considerable latitude in dealing with a sleeping 
juror, the Ninth Circuit, for example, has issued guidelines to its district courts.  In 
United States v. Barrett,18 the Court remanded an appeal “with instructions that the 
trial judge conduct a hearing to determine whether the juror in fact was sleeping 
during trial and, if so, whether the juror's being asleep prejudiced [defendant] 
Barrett to the extent that he did not receive a fair trial.”19  Furthermore, several 
state appellate courts – consistent with Barrett – have reversed a trial judge’s 
decision not to inquire into the extent of a juror’s inattention, both when the judge 
knew of the sleeping juror,20 or when such circumstances were brought to the 
court’s attention during the proceedings.21  Other federal circuits, however, have 
                                                 
16 
Ortiz, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10856. 
17 
Tierney, 947 F.2d 854, 869. 
18 
703 F.2d 1076 (9th Cir. 1982). 
19 
Id. at 1083. 
20 
People v. Evans, 710 P.2d 1167 (Colo. Ct. App. 1985).  
21 
State v. Reevey, 387 A.2d 381 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1978); People v. 
Valerio, 141 A.D. 2d 585 (N.Y. App. Div. 1988). 
 
8
remarked that trial judges may take judicial notice that a juror had not been 
sleeping without the necessity of an independent hearing.22  
Finally, the United States Supreme Court, in dicta, has commented on the 
undesirability of exposing jury verdicts to judicial scrutiny: 
There is little doubt that postverdict investigation into juror 
misconduct would in some instances lead to the invalidation of 
verdicts reached after irresponsible or improper juror behavior.  It is 
not at all clear, however, that the jury system could survive such 
efforts to perfect it.  Allegations of juror . . . inattentiveness, raised for 
the first time days, weeks, or months after the verdict, seriously 
disrupt the finality of the process.23 
 
The Court also expressed concern about the ramifications of public scrutiny of 
verdicts.24    
Although the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial by an impartial jury is a 
cornerstone of the American criminal justice system, record examinations of jurors 
intrude upon the anonymity function central to the common-law system of  
factfinding by a group of one’s peers.  While in some instances a juror’s thought 
process must be opened up to judicial scrutiny, such as in the face of allegations of 
                                                 
22 
United States v. Curry, 471 F.2d 419, 421-22 (5th Cir. 1973), cert. denied, 411 
U.S. 967 (1973); United States v. Carter, 433 F.2d 874, 876 (10th Cir. 1970) (“We have no basis 
for setting aside the finding of the trial judge. In any event counsel made no point to the court of 
the juror's condition or attitude during the trial. If [defense counsel] saw any misconduct it was 
his duty to call it to the attention of the court at the time.”). 
23 
Tanner, 483 U.S. at 120. 
24 
Id. at 120-21 citing Note, Public Disclosures of Jury Deliberations, 96 HARV. L. 
REV. 886, 888-892 (1983). 
 
9
bias, corruption, or, as here, inattention, the constitutional considerations of a fair 
trial must be balanced with those that implicate the fairness of the trial process as a 
whole.25  Jury service is a civic duty common to all citizens; those who undertake 
this task should not fear revelation of their decision methodology.  Only where a 
defendant has specifically demonstrated a compromise in the integrity of the 
verdict should protracted scrutiny, and a new trial, ensue.26 
Durham alleges that Juror Nine slept intermittently through the jury charge, 
the prosecutor’s closing argument, opening statements, and direct examination of 
two witnesses.  He fails, however, to point to specific testimony that Juror Nine 
may have missed.  Instead, the testimony presented indicates only that the juror’s 
eyes would close and then reopen, or that she was “fighting sleep.”  Absent a 
particularized showing of inattention, there can be no “reasonable probability of 
juror taint” that is “inherently prejudicial.”  Moreover, in the face of only a general 
allegation of juror misconduct, the sanctity of the jury’s deliberation process, 
emphasized in Tanner, weighs against an extensive, postverdict judicial 
investigation of Juror Nine.  Finally, even if Durham had presented specific 
evidence of inattention, it is not clear how missing the prosecutor’s closing 
                                                 
25  
See Fisher v. State, 690 A.2d 917 (Del. 1996) (holding juror’s racial bias during 
deliberations required a new trial). 
 
26  
Id. 
 
10
statement, a discourse designed to convince the jury to return a guilty verdict, 
could be prejudicial to an effective defense presentation. 
The factors for consideration thus revolve around the extent of Juror Nine’s 
inattention, whether the trial judge or the parties were aware of the sleeping juror 
during trial, and Durham’s ability to produce evidence demonstrating that the 
juror’s lapse was so severe that he was denied a fair trial.  Additional 
considerations are the interests in the finality of judgments and insulation of the 
decisionmaking process from scrutiny by either the government or the public.  We 
commend the trial judge, faced with postverdict allegations of juror 
inattentiveness, for properly examining Juror Number Nine, promptly making a 
comprehensive factual inquiry into Durham’s claim, and analyzing Durham’s 
claim in an orderly, logical deductive-reasoning process.  In the absence of 
testimony that Juror Number Nine actually missed portions of the trial, Durham 
could not have suffered any prejudice.  Based on this record, we find no abuse of 
discretion. 
III. 
For these reasons, the judgment of the Superior Court is affirmed.