Opinion ID: 2057621
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: In the absence of the jury)

Text: May it please the Court, the respondent makes a motion for a mistrial on the ground of the Court failing to instruct the jurors before the noon recess that they were to speak with no one or to put themselves in any position whereby they might overhear any conversation in relation to this pending case, and the usual instructions that they should permit no one to discuss the case with them and that if anyone persisted in discussing it with them or in their presence that they might inform the Court so necessary steps could be taken. Where there was no instruction to the jury of any type we therefore feel it is prejudicial to the rights of the respondent to continue on with this case. State's Counsel: May it please the Court; This motion is a surprise to the State and would insist that the motion is without merit for the reason that under the general instructions given to the jury by the Court at the beginning of the term the record will disclose appropriate instructions were given the jury in this regard. The Court: Do you have any evidence of any kind that any one person has spoken to any member of the jury? Respondent's Counsel: No, Your Honor, I have no such evidence. The Court: This is a veteran jury, now starting the third week. They have all had instructions on this same point several times, and the Court denies the motion. Respondent's Counsel: May we have an exception? The Court: Exception may be noted.