Opinion ID: 360874
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: questions from the jury

Text: 35 Finally, Appellant Barnes argues that he was deprived of a fair trial because the trial judge did not answer two questions posed by the jury before a verdict was rendered. The argument is frivolous. 36 After retiring the jury asked two questions of the court: 37 1) On May 25, 1977, during Donna Ballard's interrogation at the airport, what was her response to the question 'Do you know Robert Barnes?' and 38 2) Is it possible to open Exhibit B (McClure's passport) for the purpose of checking the date of entry into Cali, Colombia. Also, it would be helpful to see the passport of Robert Barnes. 39 The Court answered the second question. Due to an objection by defense counsel, however, the first question was not answered before a verdict was rendered. Defense counsel argued that Donna's answer must be presented to the jury in the context in which it was given. A lengthy discussion ensued, at the end of which the judge requested the court reporter to locate Donna Ballard's two answers to the question so that the parties could examine the context in which the answers were given. Meanwhile, the jury returned a verdict. 40 This was clearly a decision within the sound discretion of the trial judge. See, e. g., United States v. Rice, 550 F.2d 1364, 1375 (5th Cir. 1977). If the judge had not entertained defense counsel's arguments that the question be answered in context, counsel would now be arguing that it was error to answer the question. Having delayed the answering of the question in order to serve the interests of his client, counsel cannot now complain that he was prejudiced by the delay. 41 AFFIRMED.