Opinion ID: 1908066
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Allegation of Juror Bias

Text: [¶ 6] Boyce also argues that the trial court erred when it denied his motion for a new trial. Boyce's primary contention in that motion was his claim that the court erred in refusing to allow defense counsel the opportunity to cross-examine a juror who Boyce alleged was biased against him. Following Boyce's allegations of juror bias and misconduct, the trial court properly excluded Boyce's proffered evidence regarding juror deliberations but accepted Boyce's amended proffer regarding the alleged bias of one juror. M.R. Evid 606(b). See Taylor v. Lapomarda, 1997 ME 216, ¶ 6, 702 A.2d 685, 687. [¶ 7] The court then conducted an in camera interview of the challenged juror to inquire as to the alleged basis for bias. See State v. Royal, 590 A.2d 523, 525 (Me. 1990). The decision to interview the juror in a recorded in camera conference was well within the trial court's discretion. See State v. St. Pierre, 1997 ME 107, ¶¶ 10-11, 693 A.2d 1137, 1140. During the interview, the court had the opportunity to assess the challenged juror's credibility and found that the allegations of bias were unfounded. The determination of credibility in such circumstances is a matter solely within the province of the trial judge, and we therefore give substantial deference to the court's ultimate decision regarding the juror's impartiality or lack thereof. See State v. Mair, 670 A.2d 910, 912-13 (Me.1996) (quoting State v. Wright, 662 A.2d 198, 201 (Me.1995)). We discern no error in the court's conclusion here.