Court Opinion

ID: 9543616
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:47:09.152178+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:10:42.375373
License: Public Domain

Concurring Opinion
Arterburn, J.
In this case on the voir dire examination of the jury a juror, Alice Harvey, was asked if she was acquainted with the victim involved in the *89case being tried or knew any of the persons in the case. She answered “no”. The appellant thereafter showed that she was a first cousin once removed of the victim of the homicide. There is no evidence that she actually knew this relationship, although there is some evidence that she was present at a time when an obituary was prepared in the family upon the death of another person and the name of the murdered victim who was then living, was listed therein. The trial court, however, found against the appellant upon the issue of the juror, Harvey, having any knowledge of such relationship. We must accept the court’s findings of fact in that respect.
The purpose of a voir dire examination is to give the appellant the opportunity to inquire into the interests of a juror. It is the law that a failure on the part of the defendant to ask questions concerning the qualifications of the jurors is a waiver of objections upon that ground. Were it otherwise, a defendant might intentionally avoid questioning jurors on specific qualifications, well knowing there might be some disqualifications existing, then await the outcome of the case and if adverse, thereupon use such disqualifications as grounds for a new trial. The law cannot be trifled with in that fashion. A failure to make a reasonably specific inquiry as to a juror’s qualification would be a waiver of any objections on that account.
The question here no doubt could have been more specific as to any relationship. However, a reasonable interpretation of this rule is required. It seems to me that a question as to whether the juror has any acquaintance with or knows the family of a certain person, reasonably comprehends any relationship with such person. I, therefore, feel the answer, although honestly *90given by the juror, misled the defendant-appellant in his examination as to the qualifications of the juror.