Opinion ID: 1652618
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: bomb threat and other alleged distractions

Text: Johnson alleges that the trial court plainly erred by failing to declare a mistrial sua sponte when a bomb threat forced the court to suspend voir dire for a day, when the State mentioned the bomb threat during its penalty phase closing argument, when the jurors were forced to walk by a graveside tent during the trial, when officers filled the court room, and when a prayer and scripture were read in the jury room at the beginning of guilt phase deliberations. Johnson also alleges that his counsel was ineffective for failing to object to these situations. A mistrial is a drastic remedy, granted only in extraordinary circumstances. State v. Parker, 886 S.W.2d 908, 922 (Mo. banc 1994). Because the trial court is in a better position to observe the evidence and its impact, the granting of a mistrial rests within its sound discretion. Appellate review is for abuse of discretion only. Parker, 886 S.W.2d at 922. In this case, the circumstances about which Johnson complains do not merit reversal. After the bomb threat was resolved, the trial court made sure that no one had read or heard anything about the matter and assured everyone that all safety precautions were being taken. No juror who had heard anything or had admitted to being scared was selected to be on the jury. In addition, the State's comments in the closing argument were not objected to and there is no support in the record for the court to have declared a mistrial sua sponte. The evidence concerning the graveside tent shows that Johnson has greatly exaggerated his claim. The tent was near the main entrance which faces west, but the jurors entered from a south entrance; there was clearly no prejudice from such limited exposure. As to the alleged sea of peace officers during the trial, Johnson has again shown no prejudice. The record shows that many of the officers were out of uniform and at least some of those in uniform were present for security purposes, required in view of the bomb threat and the nature of the trial. Moreover, the trial court was present and was in a better position to determine the impact of the officers' presence. State v. Clover, 924 S.W.2d 853, 856 (Mo. banc 1996). The last claim, that the jurors prayed and read scripture at the beginning of the guilt phase determination, is not subject to challenge. The law is clear: jurors may not impeach the verdict with testimony `of any partiality or misconduct that transpired [in the jury room], nor speak of the motives which induced or operated to produce the verdict.' State v. Babb, 680 S.W.2d 150, 152 (Mo. banc 1984), citing State v. Underwood, 57 Mo. 40, 52 (1874). In sum, this Court concludes that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in failing to declare a mistrial sua sponte and that defense counsel was not ineffective for failing to raise objections.