Opinion ID: 785776
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Request for a Mistrial Based on Jury Misconduct

Text: 99 Both defendants submit that jury misconduct required the declaration of a mistrial. We review a trial judge's handling of alleged jury misconduct for abuse of discretion, mindful that a mistrial is warranted only upon a showing of actual prejudice. See United States v. Abrams, 137 F.3d 704, 708-09 (2d Cir.1998) (per curiam). 100 In this case, the concern about jury misconduct arose when a court officer informed the trial judge that fewer than twelve jurors might have discussed the case during a break in deliberations. The judge promptly questioned the foreperson and ascertained that the discussion in question lasted approximately five minutes and was limited to jurors' expressions of surprise upon noticing that the verdict form included lesser-included offense alternatives for Counts Three and Four. 101 Preliminarily, we observe that defendants were acquitted on Counts Three and Four in all respects. Thus, defendants cannot claim that they were prejudiced as to these charges by the challenged juror discussion. Further, because the foreperson, when questioned by the court, unequivocally stated that there had never been any consideration of evidence or culpability except with all jurors present, the trial court acted well within its discretion in concluding that there was no need to declare a mistrial.