Opinion ID: 658266
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Juror's Fear

Text: 9 Juror Evans expressed some concern for the safety of her family as a result of her service on the jury. The district court questioned Evans and determined that she could be impartial. The determination of [a juror's] impartiality, in which demeanor plays such an important part, is particularly within the province of the trial judge. United States v. Egbuniwe, 969 F.2d 757, 762 (9th Cir.1992) (internal quotation omitted). There is nothing in Juror Evans' response to the district court's inquiry to suggest that she was not forthcoming. Cf. id. at 760 (court disbelieved juror's statements that he could be impartial). Nor were the circumstances underlying Evans' concerns so serious that her affirmation of impartiality is suspect. Cf. id. at 760, 763; United States v. Ruggiero, 928 F.2d 1289, 1294-1300 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 112 S.Ct. 372, 116 L.Ed.2d 324 (1991). 10 Preston also claims that it was inappropriate for the bailiff to reassure Evans that the jurors' names and addresses would not be published. This claim was not made to the district court. Moreover, the bailiff's communication was reaffirmed by the district court, so that Preston was not prejudiced by the bailiff's conduct. The district court did not abuse its discretion in declining to excuse the juror over Preston's objection and in refusing to declare a mistrial. 11 AFFIRMED.