Opinion ID: 1689255
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Use of Special Verdict Forms at Trial

Text: When it came time for the jury's deliberation, special verdict forms were presented to the jurors. Pursuant to these forms, the jury was to determine whether Lebron was or was not guilty of premeditated murder or felony murder, first degree (Count I). If the jury found Lebron guilty of felony murder, it was to indicate whether Lebron had a firearm in his possession at the time the offense was committed. The jury was also to determine whether Lebron was or was not guilty of robbery (Count II). If the jury found find Lebron guilty of robbery, it was to indicate whether Lebron had a firearm in his possession at the time the robbery was committed. Lastly, the jury was provided with a special verdict form which applied only if the jury found Lebron guilty of the felony murder charge, and which contained the following options: We, the jury, having found the defendant guilty of felony first degree murder, find as follows: [Option 1] Jermaine Lebron is the person who killed Larry Neal Oliver, Jr. [Option 2] Larry Neal Oliver, Jr. was killed by a person other than Jermaine Lebron. The jury expressed some confusion in attempting to use these forms. The jurors sent the judge the following note: Does option # 2 mean the same as the or in (3) under Felony Murder-First Degree. Is this a standard document can an option be added. After consulting with counsel, the judge clarified with the jury foreman (in counsels' presence) what this question meant i.e., was the second option on the special verdict form (Larry Neal Oliver, Jr. was killed by a person other than Jermaine Lebron) the same as the (3) or option in the Felony Murder First Degree instruction (Larry Neal Oliver, Jr. was killed by a person other than Jermaine Lebron but both Jermaine Lebron and the other person who killed Larry Neal Oliver, Jr. were principals in the commission of robbery). The jury was then advised that the following part of the felony murder first degree instruction, `(3) Larry Neal Oliver was killed by a person other than Jermaine Lebron but both Jermaine Lebron and the person who killed Larry Neal Oliver were principals in the commission of robbery,' is reflected by special finding as to felony murder option number 2, which reads `Larry Neal Oliver, Jr. was killed by a person other than Jermaine Lebron.' The jury was also asked, What other options are you referring to? However, the jury did not, thereafter, send the judge any further notes. Upon full deliberation, the jury returned the verdict forms and found, as to Count I, that Lebron was guilty of felony murder first degree. It found that Oliver was killed by a person other than Lebron, and that Lebron did not have a firearm in his possession during the commission of the offense charged in Count I. As to Count II, the jury found Lebron guilty of robbery with a firearm. It found that Lebron did have a firearm in his possession during the commission of Count II. Based upon the jury's findings, Lebron was convicted of first-degree murder and armed robbery.