Opinion ID: 1621671
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: felon in possession of a firearm

Text: As noted above, the improper communication between the bailiff and jurors was not prejudicial with regard to the felon in possession of a firearm charge and does not require reversal of that conviction on that basis. We therefore consider Floyd's remaining assignments of error to the extent they relate to the firearm conviction. We note first that with respect to Floyd's assignment of error regarding his appearance before the jury in shackles, the proceeding at which Floyd was in shackles was the proceeding at which the jury was polled as to its verdicts. Although the jury was not unanimous with regard to the murder and manslaughter charges, the jury had already declared its unanimous verdict and found Floyd guilty with regard to the firearm charge. Because the jury had already unanimously determined Floyd to be guilty on the firearm charge, his appearance in shackles subsequent thereto was not prejudicial. We therefore reject the assignment of error regarding Floyd's appearance in shackles as it pertains to the firearm conviction. With respect to the assignments of error regarding admission of evidence of prior incidents between Floyd and Vickers and admission of the protection order, we note that such evidence pertained to the murder and manslaughter charges and not to the firearm charge. We therefore reject these assignments of error as not relevant to the firearm charge. Floyd's two remaining assignments of error, regarding the State's use of peremptory challenges and the prosecutor's statements in closing arguments, are considered below as they pertain to the felon in possession of a firearm charge.