Opinion ID: 2543261
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Was Johnson's hearing unfair because a victim's brother groaned and passed out in the courtroom?

Text: Johnson contends that his penalty hearing was rendered unfair because during the State's closing argument in the death-eligibility phase, Nick Gorringe, brother of victim Tracey Gorringe, was seated on a bench in the second row in the courtroom and either passed out or fell over when a picture of the crime scene was displayed. Johnson asserts that this incident is analogous to that in Hollaway v. State. [27] We disagree. Unlike the facts of Hollaway, the incident in this case did not concern a stun belt or any type of device under the State's control causing an effect on Johnson. [28] In fact, it did not involve Johnson at all. Although Nick Gorringe was a victim's brother, he was also a member of the public who had a right to observe the courtroom proceedings. He was not called as a witness, and no further incidents occurred. Moreover, the district court promptly excused the jurors and admonished them. We conclude that Johnson's reliance on Hollaway is misplaced and that any prejudice from this incident was minimal. [29]