United States v. Rice
United States v. Rice
Opinion of the Court
In and during the earlier stages of this trial now in progress the defendants were enlarged oil hail on a prior indictment, and only the defendant Rice is notv in actual custody. Being at large under hail on a prior indictment, the government saw no reason when the trial commenced for increased bail, or for actuálly restraining the defendants or any of them. A fair and an impartial jury was secured, satisfactory to both parties, and the trial commenced. As it progressed it become known to the court and to the United States attorneys, with reasonable certainty, that the defendant Rice, at least, was scheming and making attempts to reach the jury and improperly influence, if not to actually corrupt one or more of their number. This resulted iti the apprehension and indictment of the person (not a defendant) who made the actual attempt on the jury. This fact became known, and a mistrial was moved. Investigation
Because of these happenings, it became evident to the United States attorney that there existed a purpose on the part of some one to either actually corruptxone or more jurors, or secure a mistrial in some way, or to do both. He therefore by order by the court had a bench warrant issued under and by virtue of the indictment on which these defendants are now being tried for the arrest of the defendant Rice, and he was apprehended thereon, and brought before the court (the jury being absent), and ordered into the custody of the marshal during the trial. The defendant Rice asked to have bail during the 'trial fixed, and the defendant enlarged on bail. This motion was denied after a full hearing on the ground the court was satisfied that the presence of the defendant Rice at all times during the trial and after the trial, if necessary, and the prevention or thwarting of attempts to influence the jury improperly, could only be secured by keeping Rice in actual custody during the trial. The court held that, under such circumstances, it was discretionary with the court whether or not to enlarge Rice on bail during the trial, and that the power was inherent in the court and its exercise necessary; that either the defendant Rice or the jurors themselves must be locked up during the trial. This action to a greater or a lesser extent became known, and the facts, with more or less accuracy, were published in the. daily papers or some of them. There is no evidence that any juror has read these accounts. The jurors have been repeatedly warned not to read anything concerning, the trial contained in the newspapers. The jurors have also been repeatedly warned not to discuss the case amongst themselves, or anything connected therewith, or to allow any one to talk about it in their presence or hearing. Jurors are presumed to heed and obey the instructions of the court. They are presumed to remain uncorrupted and unbiased, and in this case all precautions to this end short of locking up the jury have been taken. In the main, the defendant Rice is responsible for the situation, and he cannot com
The motions are denied.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES v. RICE
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- GkiminaTj Law (§ 751*)—Mi stm-au--Misconduct of Accused. Where there was no evidence that jurors repeatedly warned' against reading anything in the newspapers concerning the case had read accounts of proceedings resulting in the placing in the custody of the' marshal during the trial one of the defendants for his misconduct in attempting to corrupt the jury, but without actually influencing any juror, the court would not withdraw a juror, and declare a mistrial. [Ed. Note.—For other cases, see Criminal Law, Dee. Dig. § 751.*]