United States v. Barone

83 F.R.D. 565, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10145
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. Florida
DecidedAugust 28, 1979
DocketNo. 78-185-CR-WMH
StatusPublished
Cited by21 cases

This text of 83 F.R.D. 565 (United States v. Barone) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. Florida primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Barone, 83 F.R.D. 565, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10145 (S.D. Fla. 1979).

Opinion

ORDER REPLACING JUROR

HOEVELER, District Judge.

The issue of juror replacement came before the Court as a result of the illness of Juror Dorothy Loescher subsequent to the beginning of delibérations. Because of the unusual circumstances involved, I feel that a full development of the basis for this order replacing Juror Dorothy Loescher with an alternate is indicated.

This case began on January 29,1979. Because of attendant publicity and the expected length of the case, a bifurcated and detailed jury selection process was undertaken. Eight days were expended in selecting twelve regular and six alternate jurors. Thereafter, a “James” hearing was conducted in an effort to follow the direction of U. S. v. James, et al., 590 F.2d 575 (5th Cir. 1979). Because of the number of defendants charged with conspiracy and the volume of evidence, this procedure consumed between five and six days.

In the ensuing months of trial, a multitude of witnesses were presented and over a thousand exhibits were received in evidence. Legal arguments spawned by a variety of objections made by both sides consumed, considered in sum, many days. Closing arguments started after approximately six months of trial, lasted for six days during which the positions of the government and the ten remaining defendants were developed. All jurors, including the alternates, heard the entirety of the evidence and arguments.

The jury was instructed as to the law on August 11, 1979 but deliberation was postponed until August 13th. The entire jury including the two alternates had been sequestered as of Wednesday, August 8th (during closing arguments), but immediately after instructions on the law, the alternates were separated from the regular jury. On Friday, August 17th, the jury forewoman asked for an early recess because of the condition of Juror Loescher. Over the weekend recess, her condition apparently became worse and on Monday, August 20th, the forewoman requested professional help. [567]*567Mrs. Loescher was examined on August 20th and was removed from the jury on August 21st, pursuant to the recommendation (and testimony) of Dr. Bruce Alspach, an experienced and qualified psychiatrist. No party has taken issue with the correctness of the Court’s action in removing Juror Loescher.

When the “regular” jury retired to deliberate, the two alternates were removed from its presence and indeed, were removed to a different floor in the hotel in which all jurors were sequestered. The alternates remained separated from the other jurors thereafter. On August 15th, it appearing there were no problems with the deliberating jurors, both alternates were discharged to their homes, but with instructions to avoid any media coverage and to avoid discussing the case with anyone. They were further advised that they might be recalled and that they should be in readiness in the event of any contingency.

When it became apparent that Juror Loescher might have a serious problem, alternate, Therese Ann Evangelist was asked to return to court. She did so and was sequestered pending resolution of Mrs. Loescher’s problem. She was, thereafter, examined by me in open court regarding any exposure to media, conversation regarding the case, or the other jurors. She had not been so exposed and stated she could continue to give all parties a fair trial. Subsequent to the examination of alternate juror Evangelist, each of the eleven remaining jurors was individually examined by the Court (with counsel permitted to and in fact submitting questions to the Court) as to whether they could begin deliberations anew and whether, if they had either personally or collectively arrived at opinions or conclusions, they could erase these from their thoughts and begin again giving consideration to what juror Evangelist and all other jurors would offer in deliberation. Each stated, after having been sworn for this particular examination, that he or she could and would begin anew.

On August 21st, after almost seven months this Court was presented with a somewhat unique problem as to the proper and just way to proceed. Eleven fit jurors were prepared to proceed, almost seven months of their lives having been devoted to this effort. A qualified and healthy alternate, who had heard all of the evidence and the arguments was prepared to go forward. In short, in a setting of massive effort on the part of all parties; of a trial presenting complex issues involving many counts, beginning with twenty two and ending with ten defendants (as the result of guilty pleas, severances and one acquittal); where the physical and mental as well as financial strain were considerations, where the Court had twelve qualified and well jurors, willing and prepared to proceed, the question presented was whether to abort the proceedings by mistrial or to-permit the twelve jurors to do what they said they could—deliberate fully and without prejudice. My decision was to proceed and on Thursday, August 22nd, alternate juror Evangelist was made a member of the jury, all jurors were reinstructed and they retired to deliberate.

I am mindful of Rule 24(c), F.R.C.P. In the many criminal cases over which this Court has presided in the past two years and three months alternate jurors have uniformly been discharged upon retirement of the principal jury. Certainly, the need for consistent adherence to the rules of procedure cannot be gainsayed. It must be kept in mind, however, that Rule 24(c) is indeed a rule of procedure and that in unusual circumstances it may well be that the demands of essential justice require a Court to rule on substance rather than form, particularly when, as here, there appears to be a clear collision between the two.

Perhaps to suggest a collision begs the proper question as to whether there really is conflict. There has been substantial compliance with the spirit of Rule 24(c). As stated previously, the alternates were isolated from the regular jury and the record is clear that there was no contact and therefore no taint by any alternate. This end would appear to be the principal purpose of the Rule. The main question seems to be [568]*568whether an alternate juror who has remained unsullied by outside contact or contact with the other jurors can replace a juror who becomes ill during deliberations.

It is my earnest desire to adhere to the requirements of the approved rules, those procedures which are mandated and the cases of this circuit, but in so doing to accomplish these ends in a manner which achieves essential justice. There are few instances in which a District Judge should attempt innovation as I share the observation that District Judges should apply the law rather than make it. Nonetheless, this ease cries out for the careful application of any procedure which can secure a just and non-prejudicial result. Every effort has been made to achieve this.

Rule 24(c), Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, provides in pertinent part as follows:

Alternate jurors in the order in which they are called shall replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury retires to consider its verdict, become or are found to . be unable or disqualified to perform their duties. . . . An alternate juror who does not replace a regular juror shall be discharged after the jury retires to consider its verdict. [Emphasis supplied]

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
83 F.R.D. 565, 1979 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10145, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-barone-flsd-1979.