Opinion ID: 2041271
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Excusing Juror

Text: One juror was suffering from the flu on the second day of trial. On at least two occasions, that juror had to leave the courtroom because she was ill. The trial judge asked the juror if she believed she could listen attentively to the evidence, and she indicated that she would have difficulty. Over defense counsel's objection, the judge excused the juror and replaced her with an alternate. A trial court is empowered to replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury returns its verdict, become or are found to be unable or disqualified to perform their duties. Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure, Trial Rule 47(B). It is within the trial court's discretion to invoke the rule and replace a juror with an alternate; that ruling will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Ferry v. State (1983), Ind., 453 N.E.2d 207. Campbell now makes the curious argument that he was deprived of his constitutional right to trial by an impartial jury because the juror he chose to include in the jury was not allowed to continue. He does not claim that the alternate juror was partial nor does he allege that he objected to selection of the alternate during voir dire. We fail to see any merit in this argument. The trial court's actions can only be considered as protecting Campbell's right to an impartial jury, not derogating it. The original juror's illness could have caused her to be inattentive. She might have been more willing to compromise during jury deliberations simply to expedite the process. Inasmuch as the alternate was among the jurors selected during voir dire, the substitution of the juror was not in any way irregular. The trial court did not abuse its discretion.