Court Opinion

ID: 9588622
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:36:28.891476+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:43:37.237602
License: Public Domain

Beasley, Judge,
concurring specially.
I concur fully. As to the substantive issue, it was not a reversible legal error under OCGA § 15-12-133 to rule as impermissible the particular question asked, in the context of the proceedings. It bears particularized scrutiny.
Counsel had asked several broad questions of the whole panel concerning news reports and any outside influences, after somewhat disparaging comments about news reports:
“The question was asked earlier about any news spots you may have heard and, like many of you, I watch the news also. I might add, I don’t believe all that I watch or read in the papers all the time, but I watch it. Those of you who may have seen the spots on either one of the television stations or in the News-Press, my question is, I know a lot is said. My concern is, from what you’ve heard or what you may have read, do any of you feel that for this case which you’re here for today, that you would make certain to listen to the evidence coming *119out of this courtroom and no other place?
“Do any of you have problems with trying to add in or augment what you learn here today with what you’ve heard on the outside?
“Could you be able to insulate any outside information from what you hear in court today? . . .
“My question is, do any of you feel that you are not able to insulate, wipe out, cast aside, push aside, any outside information, and base your decisions on what comes from — this Court will charge you on at the conclusion of this trial, possibly at the beginning as well — and to make your decision on what comes from this courtroom and this courtroom only?
“Do you any of you feel that having seen a TV newscast or read something in our local papers that would prevent you from drawing a line and insulating yourself from that?”
No adverse answer was given to any of these questions by any of the prospective jurors, including the assistant principal, except one TV cameraman who was familiar with TV coverage of the case itself, and he was excused for cause.
Later, counsel stated and asked:
“ . . . some would say unfortunately, some would say fortunately, in my role as a legislator, have any of you been offended by any positions I may have taken that would prevent you — you’ve been so offended, or some statement I may have made that may have rankled you to the point — if you have, please raise your hand — that might prevent you from giving this case your fair and undivided attention?”
None of the panel responded, including the assistant principal.
Shortly thereafter, the individual voir dire commenced. The assistant principal was asked: “Mrs. Tuten, you wouldn’t hold it against me because I’m against the bond referendum, would you? You wouldn’t hold that against me, would you?”
The court interjected: “Counselor, that’s an improper statement.”
Counsel evoked further comment by the court by arguing: “Your Honor, for the record, if I can address for the record, Your Honor, I’ve taken a very public position about the bond referendum and she works for the school system.”
The court reaffirmed its ruling and then stated the legal principle which had been alluded to earlier: “Counselor, we’re not putting politics into this trial. Disregard it. Everybody is bound by the law and by the facts that are presented in evidence.”
Counsel concluded: “That’s all I have. Thank you.”
The court’s refusal to permit counsel to inject his position, taken as a public official on a totally unrelated political matter, in the ascertainment of impartiality of a juror who might be affected by the final outcome of the public’s on the matter and who had earlier indicated no belief she would be subject to any outside influences in reaching a *120decision in this case, does not cross the law’s bounds.
I am authorized to state that Presiding Judge Deen joins in this special concurrence.