Opinion ID: 867266
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Jury's Request to Review Allocution

Text: ¶ 51 Chappell argues the trial court erred by refusing to provide jurors with a transcript of his allocution during deliberations. We review this decision for abuse of discretion. State v. Johnson, 122 Ariz. 260, 273, 594 P.2d 514, 527 (1979). ¶ 52 During penalty phase deliberations, the jury requested a copy of [Chappell's] statement to the court. The judge told counsel that he was inclined to instruct the jurors to rely on their memories. Chappell objected, arguing his constitutional right to have the jurors consider all mitigating evidence would be violated by refusing their request. The judge overruled Chappell's objection and instructed the jurors: Please rely on your own memory of the statement. ¶ 53 Arizona Rule of Criminal Procedure 22.3 gives trial courts discretion to permit jurors to rehear particular testimony during deliberations, but does not require the judge to provide transcripts to the jury: After the jurors have retired to consider their verdict, if they desire to have any testimony repeated, or if they or any party request additional instructions, the court may recall them to the courtroom and order the testimony read or give appropriate additional instructions. The court may also order other testimony read or give other instructions, so as not to give undue prominence to the particular testimony or instructions requested. Such testimony may be read or instructions given only after notice to the parties. ¶ 54 Here, the trial court's ruling was based on a concern that providing the jury with a transcript of Chappell's allocution would unduly emphasize that portion of the evidence. The court did not abuse its discretion in refusing the jury's request. See State v. Jovenal, 117 Ariz. 441, 443, 573 P.2d 515, 517 (App.1977) (noting concern of some courts that, when partial transcripts of the testimony are provided to the jury, undue emphasis is placed on the testimony thus made available in written form). ¶ 55 Chappell's constitutional claim is similarly unavailing. The jurors heard Chappell's allocution, and the mere fact that they were not given a written transcript during deliberations neither impeded their ability to consider it nor violated Chappell's constitutional rights.