U.S. v. Davis

Decision Date02 November 1979
Docket NumberNo. 78-5407,78-5407
Citation608 F.2d 698
PartiesUNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Paul DAVIS, Defendant-Appellant.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Sixth Circuit

Kenneth R. Sasse, Stephen Gleit, Detroit, Mich., for defendant-appellant.

James K. Robinson, U. S. Atty., Ellen G. Ritteman, Detroit, Mich., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before WEICK, LIVELY and KEITH, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM.

This is a direct appeal from a jury conviction on six counts of an eight-count indictment related to interstate transportation and sale of stolen motor vehicles. The jury acquitted on two counts. The only issues raised on appeal concern the substitution of an alternate juror for a member of the jury panel after deliberations had begun and one portion of the district court's instructions to the jury.

After instructing the jury the court advised an alternate juror that she was not discharged and was still bound by her oath as a juror in the case. Following several hours of deliberation the jury was excused for the night. The next morning it was reported to the trial judge that one of the jurors had had a death in the family and would not report. The court then addressed counsel and the defendant personally and advised that three possible procedures could be followed. He advised that the deliberations could continue with eleven jurors with the consent of the defendant, that he could substitute the alternate juror who had not been discharged, or the trial could be delayed until the absent juror returned. Counsel for the defendant stated that he did not want delay and did not want the case to continue with eleven jurors. He stated that he and the defendant preferred that the alternate juror be substituted. The trial judge then addressed the defendant personally and the defendant stated that it was his desire that the alternate juror be substituted and that the trial continue.

The alternate juror was then seated and the court requested of counsel their views as to whether the jury should be again instructed on the law of the case. Counsel for the defendant stated that he saw no reason to re-instruct the jury. Nevertheless, the court directed the jury that their prior deliberations were not to be considered and that they should begin deliberations anew. After some six hours of further deliberation, the jury returned the verdict of guilty on six counts and not guilty on two.

Upon consideration of the record on appeal together with the briefs and oral arguments of counsel, the court concludes that the defendant and his counsel waived the right to object to substitution of the alternate juror and that no prejudice resulted to him...

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11 cases
  • Seese v. Volkswagenwerk A. G.
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Third Circuit
    • April 27, 1981
    ...in a criminal case may waive the requirements of the analogous rule governing alternate jurors in criminal trials. 21 United States v. Davis, 608 F.2d 698 (6th Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 918, 100 S.Ct. 1280, 63 L.Ed.2d 602 In Davis, the court had not discharged an alternate juror. T......
  • Nelson v. Scully
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Second Circuit
    • January 28, 1982
    ...is an essential element of the offense"), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 961, 101 S.Ct. 376, 66 L.Ed.2d 229 (1980), and United States v. Davis, 608 F.2d 698, 699 (6th Cir. 1979) ("It is ordinarily reasonable to infer that a person intends the natural and probable consequences of acts knowingly done......
  • Jones v. Gaither
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Northern District of Georgia
    • July 8, 1986
    ...cert. denied, 454 U.S. 877, 102 S.Ct. 357, 70 L.Ed.2d 186 (1981); United States v. Ross, 626 F.2d 77 (9th Cir. 1980); United States v. Davis, 608 F.2d 698 (6th Cir.1979), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 918, 100 S.Ct. 1280, 63 L.Ed.2d 602 (1980); United States v. Porter, 581 F.2d 1312 (8th Petitione......
  • Fornash v. Marshall
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Sixth Circuit
    • October 20, 1982
    ...101 S.Ct. 199, 66 L.Ed.2d 84 (1980). See also, United States v. Williams, 665 F.2d 107 (6th Cir. 1981). Finally, in United States v. Davis, 608 F.2d 698 (6th Cir. 1979), cert. denied, 445 U.S. 918, 100 S.Ct. 1280, 63 L.Ed.2d 602 (1980), (per curiam), this court indicated in dictum that use ......
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