Opinion ID: 1882035
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: whether the trial judge erred in declining to sequester the jury?

Text: ¶ 44. Crawford argues the trial judge committed reversible error by refusing to sequester the jury due to the extensive media coverage. Crawford argues that the potential for tainting the jurors was at least equal to that of his pending capital case. Sequestration is required, under Rule 10.02 of the Uniform Rules of Circuit and County Court Practice, in a case where the State seeks to impose the death penalty. However, in other cases, the jury may or may not be sequestered in the exercise of sound judicial discretion. Id. ¶ 45. The State points out the fact that the trial judge's refusal to grant the sequestration motion is less damaging to Crawford than would otherwise be the case, due to the change of venue from Tippah County to Lafayette County. In addition, the trial judge admonished the jurors prior to every recess with regard to improper contact and conduct. Thus, there is not sufficient evidence that the trial judge abused his discretion in refusing to grant Crawford's sequestration motion. This assignment of error is without merit.