Opinion ID: 364210
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the refusal to declare a mistrial

Text: 50 Defendants further allege that the trial court abused its discretion in failing to declare a mistrial after two female jurors were contacted and questioned as to how they would vote. 51 In Remmer v. United States, 347 U.S. 227, 74 S.Ct. 450, 98 L.Ed. 654 (1953), the Supreme Court held that unauthorized private communications with jurors on matters pending for their deliberation was presumptively prejudicial. 52 We think the presumption of prejudice was overcome in this case. All counsel agreed to permit the court to question the jurors involved as to any prejudice. At a hearing in chambers, each of the jurors who was aware of the Ex parte communication stated that he or she was not prejudiced or in any way hampered from impartially considering the charges against the defendants. Only after this hearing was conducted did the trial judge refuse to grant defendants' motion for a mistrial. We hold that the judicious course followed by the trial judge after the unfortunate communication with the jurors adequately demonstrated that no prejudice resulted and that therefore the trial court did not abuse its discretion in not declaring a mistrial. 53