Opinion ID: 396196
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Juror Number 7

Text: 49 Appellants claim that the trial court abused its discretion by refusing to voir dire juror number 7, who had advised the judge that he had been a juror two years earlier in a state court case which was almost identical to this one in that evidence had been collected surreptitiously. The trial court immediately informed all counsel that the colloquy had taken place and stated his opinion that the matter need not be pursued. Defense counsel neither objected nor requested a voir dire. Eleven days later, appellants expressed concern about the juror's statements and asked the court to voir dire the juror or to excuse him. Appellants explained their delay in complaining by asserting that they had not previously had a chance to examine the transcript of the court's conversation with the juror. After considering appellants' request overnight, the judge denied it, stating that juror number 7 had been attentive throughout the trial and had not appeared to form premature conclusions on the merits of the case. Appellants claim that this ruling denied them a fair and impartial jury. 50 This Court accords broad discretion to the trial judge to assess allegations of juror bias or misconduct, believing that the trial judge observing the jury on a day to day basis ... is in the best position to sense the atmosphere of the courtroom as no appellate court can on a printed record. United States v. Barnes, 604 F.2d 121, 144 (2d Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 446 U.S. 907, 100 S.Ct. 1833, 64 L.Ed.2d 260 (1980). See also United States v. Panebianco, 543 F.2d 447, 457 (2d Cir. 1976), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 1103, 97 S.Ct. 1128, 51 L.Ed.2d 553 (1977); United States v. Flynn, 216 F.2d 354, 372 (2d Cir. 1954), cert. denied, 348 U.S. 909, 75 S.Ct. 295, 99 L.Ed. 713 (1955). In Barnes, this Court approved the trial court's refusal to dismiss or to conduct a voir dire of a juror who had made an obscene gesture toward defense counsel outside the courtroom. Such juror activity plainly is significantly more indicative of possible bias or prejudice than that of juror number 7 in this case. On this record, we cannot conclude that Judge Carter abused his discretion.