Opinion ID: 2594735
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Propriety of Trial Court's Ruling on Jury Misconduct

Text: In resolving a question of whether jury misconduct occurred, we accept the trial court's credibility determinations and findings on questions of historical fact if supported by substantial evidence. ( People v. Nesler (1997) 16 Cal.4th 561, 582, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 454, 941 P.2d 87.) Juror misconduct raises a rebuttable presumption of prejudice. The presumption may be rebutted by proof that prejudice did not actually result. ( People v. Majors (1998) 18 Cal.4th 385, 417, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 684, 956 P.2d 1137.) Defendant contends the jury's discussion of the possible parole was prejudicial jury misconduct because, according to him, the jury mistakenly believed that sentencing him to death would be the only means of ensuring that he would never be released from prison. On this record, we conclude the jury did not engage in misconduct, and the jury's brief discussion of the possibility of parole did not prejudice defendant. `The jury system is an institution that is legally fundamental but also fundamentally human. Jurors bring to their deliberations knowledge and beliefs about general matters of law and fact that find their source in everyday life and experience. That they do so is one of the strengths of the jury system.' ( People v. Riel, supra, 22 Cal.4th at p. 1219, 96 Cal.Rptr.2d 1, 998 P.2d 969.) We accept the trial court's determination here that the parole discussion was for a very brief period of time and that most of the discussion focused on the facts of the case and factors in aggravation and mitigation. Substantial evidence supports this finding. (See People v. Nesler, supra, 16 Cal.4th at p. 582, 66 Cal.Rptr.2d 454, 941 P.2d 87.) Also, the challenged discussion on the possibility of release on parole is similar to juror comments during the penalty phase deliberations about the absence of executions in California. Such comments are not jury misconduct. ( People v. Majors, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp. 421-422, 75 Cal.Rptr.2d 684, 956 P.2d 1137; People v. Cox (1991) 53 Cal.3d 618, 696, 280 Cal.Rptr. 692, 809 P.2d 351.) Furthermore, here the jury's discussion of parole was prompted by matters intrinsic to the trial, namely, defense counsel's comments in closing argument. [9] Even if viewed as misconduct, the jury's brief discussion of the possibility of parole did not prejudice defendant. As we recently stated: Any presumption of prejudice is rebutted, and the verdict will not be disturbed, if the entire record in the particular case, including the nature of the misconduct or other event, and the surrounding circumstances, indicates there is no reasonable probability of prejudice, i.e., no substantial likelihood that one or more jurors were actually biased against the defendant. ( In re Hamilton (1999) 20 Cal.4th 273, 296, 84 Cal.Rptr.2d 403, 975 P.2d 600.) The record here rebuts the presumption of prejudice. As we have noted, the discussion of possible parole was brief, and during the discussion several jurors reiterated the importance of not speculating as to what might happen to defendant in the future. As the trial court noted, because here the jury recognized the fact that a death sentence and a life without possibility of parole sentence could possibly result in defendant's release from prison, the discussion did not contribute to the jury's decision to impose the death penalty instead of life without possibility of parole. We agree with the trial court that under these circumstances the jury's parole discussion did not prejudice defendant.