Court Opinion

ID: 9724414
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 10:55:48.889218+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:00.098543
License: Public Domain

TOMUANOVICH, Justice
(dissenting).
I disagree with the majority that it was harmless error to permit the jury to take the book Satanism, Is Your Family Safe? to the jury room during its deliberations.
The defendant is alleged to practice Satanism and the title of the book alone suggests to jurors that he is a threat to themselves and their families. Further, this title is emblazoned across a cover with a “striking * * * photograph of a man in a priestly robe holding a dagger” similar to that allegedly used by defendant. It is clearly error to permit a jury, while pondering the fate of an alleged “warlock” to have access to a book stating, “So long as jurors shy away from convicting people with alleged satanic connections, such atrocities will continue.”
Trial judges must exercise extreme caution in preventing jury access to such highly prejudicial material. Because this book could well have created fear and prejudice, it may have affected the jury’s decision to find defendant guilty and to find him guilty of first degree murder. The error committed by the trial court was therefore anything but harmless. I would reverse the convictions and remand the case for a new trial.