Opinion ID: 1844309
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether the jury was impermissibly influenced by extraneous matters.

Text: ¶ 38. In any trial there is initially a presumption of jury impartiality. United States v. O'Keefe, 722 F.2d 1175, 1179 (5th Cir.1983). In his supplemental application, Carr argues that the jury was improperly influenced during sequestration by the bailiffs. Carr asserts that the bailiffs who would fraternize at card games with the jurors during sequestration, let it be known that Anthony Carr had allegedly threatened to `come after the jurors' with the bailiffs' guns if he were found guilty. Carr also asserts that the same bailiffs told the jurors of a sexual predator staying at the same hotel who had victimized a pair of children whose ages were close to those of the Parker children. Carr claims that this information just recently came to light following interviews of all the jurors. Jurors are generally precluded from testifying to impeach their own verdict, however, a juror may testify on the question whether extraneous prejudicial information was improperly brought to the jury's attention or whether any outside influence was improperly brought to bear upon any juror. M.R.E. 606(b). We have stated: Once an allegation of juror misconduct arises, then the next step is to consider whether an investigation is warranted. In order for the duty to investigate to arise, the party contending there is misconduct must make an adequate showing to overcome the presumption in this state of jury impartiality. Juror polling shall only be permitted by an attorney, outside the supervision of the court, upon written request. At the very minimum, it must be shown that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that good cause exists to believe that there was in fact an improper outside influence or extraneous prejudicial information.... Although a minimal standard of good cause showing of specific instances of misconduct is acceptable, the preferable showing should clearly substantiate that a specific, non-speculative impropriety has occurred. Gladney v. Clarksdale Beverage Co., 625 So.2d 407, 418 (Miss.1993). ¶ 39. Carr submits the affidavits of eight jurors in support of his claim regarding the bailiff's actions, as well as his claim that matters not in evidence, i.e., carpet fibers from the Parker home found on Carr's boots, were considered. Upon learning of these affidavits, the State contacted the jurors who had been interviewed by Carr's counsel, and learned that the affiants felt that the affidavits obtained by Carr's counsel were obtained under false pretenses. The State obtained new affidavits from six of the jurors who had signed the original affidavits for defense counsel. These counter-affidavits stated, in essence, that Carr's counsel or her investigator implied that they worked for the prosecution; that the jurors were deceived by the way the interview and original affidavits were presented; and that they would not have signed them had they known they were to be used in an effort to overturn Carr's conviction. The counter-affidavits indicate that the affiants had been led to believe that the original affidavits were prepared by Carr's counsel, and they were asked to sign them as documentation of the fact that the interviews had been conducted, and were not intended to be declarations of fact but only summaries of what was discussed. Given that these affidavits are contradictory and the initial statements have been recanted, it cannot be said that good cause exists to believe that the jury was improperly tainted by outside influences or matters not in evidence. Carr presents no factual evidence to support this claim. This issue is without merit.