Opinion ID: 882897
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Recess during Trial

Text: Finally, the Youngs contend that their right to a fair trial was jeopardized by the interruptions during the course of the trial. The parties were given the trial schedule, including the two scheduled recesses at the pretrial conference on November 20, 1991. The trial started on December 2, continued on December 3, then a break was taken until December 9. The trial then continued on December 10, recessed again on December 11 and concluded on December 12. We conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in conducting the trial as scheduled. The Youngs' attorney did not object to the schedule at the pretrial conference nor did any jurors complain of problems due to the schedule. The Youngs presented no evidence of outside influences affecting the jury. When the court recessed on December 3, they were admonished not to discuss the case among themselves or anyone else. On December 10, before the trial was recessed until December 12, the court stated: The instruction I have been giving about not talking to anyone about this case becomes particularly important at this time. It is necessary that you retain an open mind and not form any opinion prior to this matter being submitted to you for your deliberations. In order to do that, we have to insure that you not discuss this case amongst yourselves or with anyone else, and that includes family members, prior to the matter being submitted to you for your deliberations. Any statements by appellants that they were prejudiced by the recesses is speculation. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it recessed for other court matters. AFFIRMED. HARRISON, GRAY, and WEBER JJ., concur.