Opinion ID: 683142
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adequacy of court's inquiry into jury misconduct

Text: 9 Bertoli first contends that the trial court failed adequately to investigate whether premature jury deliberations prejudiced him. Bertoli moved for a mistrial on the issue; he also made a post-trial motion for a new trial. Both motions were denied. 10
11 On August 11, 1993, the court began reading the charge to the jury. During a recess, Juror Six informed the court that an alternate juror had engaged her in a premature, improper discussion about the merits of the case. With counsel present, the juror was brought before the court, and the following colloquy ensued: 12 THE COURT: You mentioned to me as I was walking out that somebody mentioned to you an opinion about the case? 13 THE JUROR: Correct. 14 THE COURT: I don't want to know what it is. Has that affected your ability to be fair and impartial? 15 THE JUROR: I don't think so. In fact, I'm sure it has not. 16 App. at 675-76. The trial court procured from Juror Six the identity of the jurors who engaged her in the premature conversations. All three of them--Jurors Thirteen, Fourteen and Fifteen--were alternates. One at a time, the court summoned these alternate jurors to the courtroom for questioning by the court in the presence of counsel for both Bertoli and the government. The record reflects the following conversation between the court and Juror Thirteen: 17 THE COURT: The juror who was just out here indicated to me that you mentioned to her something about the case. I stress I did not ask her what it is, I do not know what it is, I don't want to know what it is. 18 I have instructed all the jury not to express or deliberate in any way in the case. 19 Have you mentioned anything to anybody else about the case? 20 THE JUROR: No, I haven't your Honor. 21 THE COURT: Again, you can't go into any detail. I'm going to excuse you from deliberation.... 22 App. at 677-78. The court had nearly identical conversations with Jurors Fourteen and Fifteen. Both of the jurors denied discussing the case with any juror other than Juror Six and the court excused both from their responsibilities as well. 23 When the court concluded its voir dire, Bertoli moved for a mistrial or, alternatively, either that the court similarly question the other jurors or that Juror Six be excused. Stating that [s]he has expressed to me her ability to be fair and impartial and I'm satisfied she can be on that, the court denied the motions. App. at 680. Bertoli's counsel then requested the court to probe further into the intra-jury communications. The court reiterated its belief that the jury remained untainted, but agreed to in camera ask each of them what they said and seal it, so the Circuit has it. App. at 687. During the next recess, the alternate jurors and Juror Six were called into the judge's chambers for further interviews. Neither Bertoli nor his attorney was present for this second round of questioning. 24 The court first interviewed Juror Thirteen. Because Bertoli relies heavily on this conversation, we quote the transcript extensively: 25 THE COURT: Juror number six, Sheila, Miss Wheil, says that you mentioned something to her and that's what she mentioned to me and that's what I asked you about in court. 26 You're not a deliberating juror. From what I know, it's no big deal, but just to satisfy the attorneys out there, I'm putting it on the record. Don't be concerned. 27 A: Okay. 28 Q: Did you express an opinion as to guilt or innocence? 29 A: No. 30 Q: You didn't? 31 A: No. That's why I was wondering why I was excused because-- 32 Q: Everybody would have been excused anyway. We had all 12 jurors. 33 Please, don't be upset with me or the process. 34 A: I'm not. 35 First of all, let me say something. It's been an honor and privilege to be here. I realize this is the process. I have learned a lot, I really have. I learned a lot. It's been a privilege and I kind of feel violated about what happened today because-- 36 Q: You know, don't, because from--you were number 13. From number 13 to 20, you all knew that. 37 A: I understand that. 38 Q: You guys did yeomen work.... 39