Opinion ID: 606321
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Excusing a Juror

Text: 13 Next, Simpson argues that the trial court improperly excused a juror in the midst of trial. The trial judge explained the dismissal as follows: 14 We got a note from juror number 9, who got a note from some clinic indicating that the results of some tests--they wanted him to come in right away. Apparently it was nothing more than a blood sugar test; and I would not have been inclined--although I'm not a doctor, I would have consulted with the medical people downstairs. 15 I would not have been inclined to excuse him if we had lost anybody overnight; we have not so I let number 9 go to the clinic; [301 U.S.App.D.C. 207] so we will move alternate number 1 into number 9's spot. 16 United States v. Gerald S. Simpson, No. 91-0598 (D.D.C. Feb. 19, 1992) at 4-5 (trial transcript) (Tr. I). 17 Rule 24(c) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that alternate jurors may replace jurors who become or are found to be unable or disqualified to perform their duties. FED.R.CRIM.P. 24(c). The determination of whether a juror should be excused pursuant to this rule is left to the trial judge's discretion. United States v. Sobamowo, 892 F.2d 90, 95 (D.C.Cir.1989), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 825, 111 S.Ct. 78, 112 L.Ed.2d 51 (1990). Although the trial judge did not verify the juror's claim with the court's medical staff, nothing in the rule or case law suggests that the judge must temper his discretion by performing any particular test to determine whether a juror is competent. In this case, the judge reasonably balanced the nature of the juror's excuse against possible prejudice from the use of an alternate. We find no abuse of discretion in the outcome of this balance.