Court Opinion

ID: 9749679
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-27 16:57:29.374426+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:25:55.731076
License: Public Domain

CUNNINGHAM, J.,
dissenting:
With great reluctance, and after much soul searching, I dissent.
My reticence in disagreeing with the majority begins with the heart rending plight of the Appellees who are in bad need of closure in this case. However, regardless of this consideration, fairness must be weighed on balanced scales. I am also hesitant to disagree with the very fine scholarship and writing of both Justice Noble, writing for the majority, and Chief Justice Minton in his concurring opinion.
But, at last I dissent because of the six-day delay in the deliberations. With the other close issues discussed by the majority in this case, this interlude in the deliberative process should have ended the trial in a mistrial.
Much emphasis has been placed on the Knuckles case in upholding the trial court in this case. That criminal case was much different. It was continued only after one day of trial. Both sides still had the opportunity to shore up their cases to accommodate what damage they may had perceived was brought about due to the delay. Also, in Knuckles, the delay was due to the unfortunate events impacting the judge. Here, the cause of the delay impacted the jury. Two jurors — -fact-finders and verdict-makers of the case — suffered traumatic physical problems. Both incurred hospital stays. The parties in this case were entitled to a continuous, uninterrupted deliberation by the jury with its members spared of any life-altering experiences being visited upon them. Mistrials are the calamities of trials gone awry. But they have their place. One should have been declared in this case. For that reason, I respectfully and reluctantly dissent from the well-crafted opinion of the majority.