Opinion ID: 2445
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Failure to Order a Mistrial Based on Juror Apprehension

Text: Rodriguez contends that the District Court exceeded its discretion in denying a motion for a mistrial based on reports that some jurors believed that Rodriguez was staring at them in a threatening manner. Early in the trial, the District Court informed the parties that some of the jurors felt that Rodriguez was staring at them in what they perceive to be a threatening manner. Some of them, the Court reported, felt most uncomfortable. Both Defendants immediately moved for a mistrial. The District Court questioned Juror No. 4 who had brought the issue to the attention of the Court. The juror indicated that some of the jurors had noticed Rodriguez staring at the prosecutor and at them, and some felt uncomfortable. Juror No. 4 identified those jurors by seat number. The Court noted that the jurors identified by Juror No. 4 are in the direct line with the prosecutor. That's probably why they feel the way they do. The District Court individually questioned the three regular jurors and two alternates who were identified as having observed Rodriguez staring at them. All of them stated without qualification that the episode would not affect their ability to decide the case fairly. Neither defendant disputed the credibility of the jurors' assurances or suggested that the jurors should be dismissed. A district court has broad discretion in handling claims of jurors' partiality and taint that arise during trial. See United States v. Rosario, 111 F.3d 293, 299 (2d Cir.1997). A district court's denial of motion for mistrial is reviewed for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Smith, 426 F.3d 567, 571 (2d Cir.2005). Rodriguez contends that the District Court should have questioned all of the jurors, but there is no evidence that any of the other jurors witnessed any untoward conduct of Rodriguez or that they even knew about it. The District Court sufficiently considered the defendants' concerns, questioned the jurors who may have witnessed Rodriguez's staring, and determined that they could continue to be entirely impartial. The District Court acted well within its discretion in handling the incident and denying the motion for a mistrial.