Opinion ID: 428600
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Communication Concerning the Reading of Testimony

Text: 31 During deliberations, the jurors sent a note to the court which read: Is it possible for us to obtain testimony without returning to the courtroom? The judge replied: No! You must rely on your memory. 32 The decision to honor a request that the court reporter read his notes of certain testimony for the jury's benefit after deliberation has begun is left to the discretion of the trial judge. United States v. Rohrer, 708 F.2d 429, 435 (9th Cir.1983). Such a ruling will not be disturbed on appeal, absent a showing of abuse of discretion. United States v. Baxter, 492 F.2d 150, 175 (9th Cir.1973), cert. denied, 416 U.S. 940, 94 S.Ct. 1945, 40 L.Ed.2d 292 (1974). 33 It is error, however, under Rule 43 for the court to deny the jury's request without consulting counsel for their views before exercising such discretion. Had the court conferred with counsel, the trial court's reply to the communication might have been more responsive to the jury's question. The jury did not ask the court if it was required to rely on its memory in resolving any uncertainties as to the exact testimony of a witness. Apparently the jury wanted to know if it was possible to receive the recorded testimony of witnesses in the jury room. 34 Birges, however, has failed to demonstrate that the court's error was prejudicial to his defense. See Powell v. Kroger Co., 644 F.2d 1245, 1247 (8th Cir.1981) (ex parte communication with jurors does not compel reversal where prejudice is not shown). In United States v. Medansky, 486 F.2d 807 (7th Cir.1973), cert. denied, 415 U.S. 989, 94 S.Ct. 1587, 39 L.Ed.2d 886 (1974), the jury sent a communication to the judge requesting transcripts of the trial proceedings. The judge entered the jury room and told the jurors that transcripts would not be provided; that they had to rely upon their own recollections. The reviewing court concluded that this was not prejudicial error. Id. at 816. 35 Birges has not demonstrated that the errors committed by the trial judge responding to the jury's communications affected the outcome of the trial. The motion for a new trial was properly denied.