Court Opinion

ID: 7957779
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 00:21:04.786327+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:34:19.592506
License: Public Domain

Holbrook, P. J.
(dissenting). The writer has carefully read the prevailing opinion and is unable to subscribe to the result obtained. Although this precise issue has not been ruled on by our Michigan Supreme Court, it appears that the test is whether or not supplemental instructions of the trial judge constitute coercion in obtaining a verdict from the jury. The inquiry by the trial judge as to how the jury stood numerically appears to be the crux of the issue presented on this appeal. To the writer’s mind this inquiry was made not for the purpose of coercion, but only as an inquiry as to the possibility of the jury’s arriving at a verdict. It is true that the Federal Courts have prohibited their trial courts from inquiring as to the numerical division of a jury since Brasfield v United States, 272 US 448; 47 S Ct 135, 71 L Ed 345 (1926). This rule has not been adopted by our State Supreme Court, applicable to the trial courts of Michigan. It appears to this writer that our present rules which require considering each case on its own merits are adequate to administer justice. Our Supreme Court delineated the rule for determining whether the supplemental instructions amount to coercion in People v Pizzino, 313 Mich 97, 103 (1945):
"In Zeitz v Mara, 290 Mich 161, 166 [1939], we said:
" 'Examination of the authorities shows that, when it is claimed that a jury has been coerced into returning a verdict, all of the facts and circumstances must be considered as well as the particular language used by the trial judge.’ ”
*141In the case of People v Maxwell, 3 Mich App 264, 267-268 (1966) it is stated as follows:
"The trial of this case had taken three days. It had started on Wednesday and had been given to the jury on Friday, when the jury began its deliberation at 4:45 p.m. At 5:31 p.m. the jury was recalled to the courtroom and the following transpired:
”'The Court: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you have deliberated a little less than an hour but it is getting late and I wanted to inquire into the state of your deliberations.
" 'May 1 inquire if you have selected a foreman?
"!Juror Crayton: We have, and I am the foreman, Your Honor.
"'The Court: Your name?
" ’Foreman Crayton: Crayton.
" ’The Court: You have been here a long time today and in consideration of the fact that some of you have a long way to go in this city of Detroit, I wish to inquire of you, Mr. Foreman, if you feel you cannot arrive at a verdict within the next 15 minutes and, if so, I am inclined to dismiss you until tomorrow morning at 9:30.
" ’Foreman Crayton: I do feel, your Honor, we would reach a decision within the next 15 minutes.
” 'The Court: Do I understand that the majority of the jurors would rather go home and come back here tomorrow to continue deliberation or is it the other way around — let’s take a vote — who would like to stay, with a show of hands, please?
" '[Whereupon all jurors raised their hands.]
"'The Court: Very well, I will release you to continue your deliberations again.
" 'You may return to the jury room.’
"The jury was then excused at 5:35 p.m. and returned with its verdict at 5:56 p.m.
"The appellant contends this action by the court amounted to coercion of the jury.
"We do not agree. A fair reading of this colloquy convinces us that it was a reasonable interrogation of the jury designed to obtain a considered verdict rather *142than to force a hasty one. See People v Pizzino, 313 Mich 97 (1945), and, People v Kasem, 230 Mich 278 (1925).”
Further light on the issue is given in People v Digione, 250 Mich 206, 208-210 (1930). It is stated:
"The jury was out a long time, and, it seems, had difficulty in reaching a verdict. They were permitted to separate for the night. On their return into court the following morning the judge made some remarks to them and to a jury considering another case. He read to them the oath of jurors, to 'well and truly try’ the issue and 'a true verdict give therein according to the law and the evidence given you in open court.’ He admonished them to consider the evidence, cautioned that, while 'reasonable men can reasonably differ about certain things,’ they should not differ arbitrarily, and further said, quoting in part:
" 'Well, let us see what the facts are back of that:
" 'A man said so and so; let us see if the evidence back of that supports it. And as near as possible you should keep your minds open, ready to discuss the evidence. And if, at any time, there is a difference of opinion as to what the evidence is in the court, we have it all taken down and the stenographer will read it to you. Any point that you are differing about. Or, if you differ about the law, on any one question and one man says the court said so and so, and the other says, no, the court said so and so. Well, come in, and I will have the charge read to you. But, the point is not to get set over some point. But discuss it fully and fairly and freely. Not with the idea of getting a verdict of guilty or not guilty but with the idea of reaching a verdict which is a verdict of twelve reasonable and intelligent citizens.
" 'And, it so happens that I can talk to both juries in the same way. Now, today, I am going to send you out, back to your jury rooms, to arrive at some kind of a verdict if you can. Now, you understand I am not trying to coerce you in any way, shape or manner, you have your own minds and it is not for me in any way to attempt to change that mind. I am simply attempting *143to tell you that you should look at the matter fairly and freely and honestly just as you do any other matter/
"Later in the day the jury returned for further instruction and the court read to them portions of the charge in response to their requests.
"Late in the afternoon the jury came in with the verdict. It is urged that it was coerced. We have given the unusual incident serious consideration, and are of the opinion that it does not amount to coercion, and we are constrained to hold it not reversible error.”
Also see People v Chivas, 322 Mich 384 (1948); People v Fleisher, 322 Mich 474 (1948); and People v Kasem, 230 Mich 278 (1925).
The supplemental instruction was proper and the inquiry concerning the numerical standing of the jury did not add to or detract from the said instruction. Therefore this writer would deem the objected-to supplemental instruction as being harmless error. The question then arises whether or not under § 26 of Chapter IX, Act 175 of the Public Acts of 1927 (MCLA 769.26; MSA 28.1096) this inquiry as to how the jury stood numerically constitutes error resulting in a miscarriage of justice.
Under the facts in this case the writer is constrained to rule that the supplemental instruction and inquiry by the court did not constitute error resulting in a miscarriage of justice. I would therefore affirm the conviction.