Question

During the criminal trial for former Governor Fife Symington of Arizona, an elderly member of the jury told the judgethat she felt pressured by the other jurors to find him guilty. The judge removed the woman from the jury and Governor Symington was convicted. Which of the following describes the likely result if the governor appeals?
a. There is no reversible error because jury deliberations are not part of the trial or evidence.
b. There is a reversible error because of the possible prejudice to the governor in the dismissal of the juror.
c. Appellate courts cannot reverse on questions about jury deliberations.
d. There can be no reversal of the case absent some error in testimony or jury

Answer 1

Answer: There is a reversible error because of the possible prejudice to the governor in the dismissal of the juror.

Explanation: A juror is a member of a jury. A jury are group of people chosen from the general population whose duty is to hear and decide on a case in a court of law.

If an elderly woman claims that she is being pressured to by other jurors to find the Governor guilty, then this a case of prejudice i.e the jurors are making an adverse judgement.

Therefore, the Governor has a case in any event he appeals since the judgment appears to be based on prejudice.