Opinion ID: 1202009
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: juror or jurors

Text: Crease argues there was not substantial competent evidence to support the trial court's finding that Judge Hodge had an ex parte communication with only one juror. In support of his argument, Crease directs this court's attention to the 1991 testimony of Brinkley, the bailiff, and Judge Hodge, who all stated that they believed more than one juror visited the judge in his chambers during deliberations. Additionally, Crease points out that Barbara Poppenhagen admitted during a telephone conversation with Crease's mother in 1987 she had gone to visit the judge in his chambers even though at the 1991 hearing Poppenhagen said she could not remember going to the judge's chambers. The Court of Appeals did not address directly Crease's argument. If there is substantial competent evidence to support the trial court's finding of fact, an appellate court will not disturb that finding on appeal. State v. Smith, 244 Kan. 283, 288, 767 P.2d 1302 (1989). Shortly after visiting with the juror, Judge Hodge informed the attorneys of what had transpired. According to the transcript of the 1981 meeting, Judge Hodge only referred to one juror. The evidentiary hearing occurred in 1991. Because the 1981 recollection of events was much closer in time to the event in question than the 1991 evidentiary hearing, there is substantial competent evidence to support the trial court's finding of fact.