Opinion ID: 721091
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Denial of motion to communicate with alternate juror

Text: 33 Defendants contend the district judge erred in denying their motion to communicate with a dismissed alternate juror about allegations of juror misconduct. 34 We are unable to find a case directly on point for a standard of review for this motion. However, we review a denial of a motion for an evidentiary hearing regarding allegations of jury misconduct for abuse of discretion. United States v. Navarro-Garcia, 926 F.2d 818, 822 (9th Cir.1991). Unless the court is able to determine without a hearing that the allegations are without credibility or that the allegations if true would not warrant a new trial, an evidentiary hearing must be held. Id. 35 Here, the misconduct alleged is that jurors had already determined defendants' guilt before the judge submitted the case to them for deliberations. 7 However, the allegation made to the district court was fifth-hand hearsay. Thus, the allegation was so attenuated and lacking in credibility that the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion.