Opinion ID: 867213
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial Court's Failure to Investigate Allegedly Sleeping Juror

Text: ¶ 73 During the penalty phase, defense counsel asked to voir dire Juror 12 because several people said that his eyes were closed during testimony. The trial judge noted that he had watched Juror 12 closely after the allegations were brought to his attention. Although he had seen Juror 12's eyes closed on occasion, the judge could tell Juror 12 was not asleep because he was tapping his foot and moving his wrist. The judge denied the request for voir dire and Cota's subsequent motion for a new trial. This ruling is reviewed for abuse of discretion. State v. Hall, 204 Ariz. 442, 447 ¶ 16, 65 P.3d 90, 95 (2003). ¶ 74 When a trial court becomes aware of possible juror misconduct, it should conduct whatever investigation it deems warranted. State v. Cook, 170 Ariz. 40, 55, 821 P.2d 731, 746 (1991). Here, the judge chose personally to observe Juror 12 rather than conduct voir dire. `The conduct of the juror in open court was a matter of which the trial court had judicial knowledge and could take judicial notice.' United States v. Curry, 471 F.2d 419, 422 (5th Cir.1973) (quoting United States v. Carter, 433 F.2d 874, 876 (10th Cir.1970)); see also Kuhs, 223 Ariz. at 380 ¶ 18, 224 P.3d at 196 (allowing trial judges to rely on their observations of courtroom behavior in making decisions). In light of his personal observations of Juror 12, the trial judge did not abuse his discretion in declining to excuse the juror or conduct further investigation.