Court Opinion

ID: 9775981
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 19:15:15.938136+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:32.377243
License: Public Domain

DOWD, Judge,
dissenting.
I must respectfully dissent. Instructions similar to the instruction which the court today holds erroneous have “routinely been held not to be coercive or improper,” and the instruction given by the trial court is an expressly approved “pattern” instruction under MAI-CR. State v. Letourneau, 515 S.W.2d 838, 844[9] (Mo.App.1974); MAI-CR 1.10.
The majority opinion is based upon the fact that the trial court knew the jury stood 9 to 3 in favor of conviction1 when the court gave MAI-CR 1.10.2 However, the information as to the status of the jury’s deliberations was unsolicited by the trial court. The jury foreman volunteered the information in a note to the trial judge. Therefore, as noted by the majority, we are not confronted with the question of the propriety of judge’s inquiry concerning the status of jury deliberations. Instead, we must consider the propriety of the judge’s response to the unsolicited information. The Notes on Use for MAI-CR 1.10 do not prohibit the use of the instruction if the judge knows how the jurors stand. The Notes on Use provide only that the instruction can be given “when appropriate.” MAI-CR No. 1.10 Notes on Use (1).
I believe the majority decision ignores the fact that the coercive effect of giving MAI-CR 1.10 under the facts presented is a matter originally considered by the trial court. The decision whether to give an instruction patterned upon MAI-CR 1.10 is discretionary with the trial court and is reviewed on appeal for an abuse of that discretion. See State v. Doepke, 536 S.W.2d 950, 951[6] (Mo.App.1976). In the case at bar, the trial judge might have responded to the jury’s note in one of three ways. The court could have declared a mistrial and dismissed the jury, but such drastic action was not re*42quired.3 Second, the trial court could have required the jury to continue deliberations without making any statement. Because the jury had just informed the judge that further deliberations would be useless, such a response by the trial judge could confuse the jury. In any event, such a response appears unlikely to have the desired effect, meaningful discussion of the case by the jury. Third, the trial court could, as it did, give MAI-CR 1.10, urging the jury to deliberate further but cautioning the members of the jury to abide by the evidence, instructions, and their consciences.4 I do not believe that giving such an instruction was an abuse of the trial court’s discretion.
Although the precise issue involved in this case has never been determined, instructions similar to Instruction Number 17 have been upheld on appeal despite the trial court’s awareness of the status of the deliberations. State v. Cochrell, 492 S.W.2d 22 (Mo.App.1973); State v. Taylor, 508 S.W.2d 506 (Mo.App.1974); State v. Edwards, 536 S.W.2d 193 (Mo.App.1976). By holding MAI-CR 1.10 erroneous under the facts here, the majority decision assumes that only some members of the jury will follow some portions of the instruction. The majority state that the three jurors in favor of acquittal would necessarily view MAI-CR 1.10 as an exhortation to reconsider their votes. I see no reason why the nine jurors in favor of conviction would not also consider MAI-CR 1.10 as an exhortation to reconsider their votes. In addition, the majority opinion assumes and speculates the jury did not follow the whole instruction. I see no reason to assume that those portions of MAI-CR 1.10 instructing jurors to try to come to a decision are more likely to be followed than those portions of MAI-CR 1.10 advising the jurors to adhere to the law, the evidence, and their consciences. The jurors are instructed not to “agree to a verdict that violates the instructions of the Court, nor find as a fact that which under the evidence and his conscience he believes to be untrue.” I do not believe we should assume and speculate that jurors would fail to follow this portion of the instruction.
Finally, a verdict is not shown to be coerced simply because the jury reaches a verdict shortly after receiving MAI-CR 1.10. State v. Cook, 512 S.W.2d 907, 909[5] (Mo.App.1974).
I would affirm.

. If it is assumed, as done in the majority opinion, that coercion is indicated by the fact that the jury stood 9 to 3 in favor of conviction, it is equally logical to assume coercion occurred if the jury stands 8 to 4 or 7 to 5 for conviction. I do not believe there is anything magical about the fact that the jury was 9 to 3 in favor of conviction so as to preclude the giving of this instruction.

. Appellant’s brief also contends that the trial court erred in giving MAI-CR 1.10 because the jury had already indicated that further deliberations would be of no use. The fact that the jury has so indicated does not preclude use of MAI-CR 1.10. State v. Letourneau, supra at 844[9]; State v. Phillips, 511 S.W.2d 841, 844[9] (Mo.1974).

. Mistrial is a drastic remedy to be exercised only in extraordinary circumstances. State v. Letourneau, supra at 844[8].

. The instruction here involved, Instruction Number 17, reads as follows:
“It is desirable that there be a verdict in every case. The trial of a lawsuit involves considerable time and effort, and the parties are entitled to have their rights determined once and for all in every case. The twelve jurors chosen to try this case should be as well qualified to do so as any other twelve that might hereafter be chosen. Open and frank discussion by you in your jury room of the evidence in this case may aid you in agreeing upon the facts, however, no juror should ever agree to a verdict that violates the instructions of the Court, nor find as a fact that which under the evidence and his conscience he believes to be untrue. Yet each of you should respect the opinions of your fellow jurors as you would have them respect yours, and in a spirit of tolerance and understanding endeavor to bring the deliberations of the whole jury to an agreement upon a verdict.”