(Download) "Charles Eugene Sparks v. State Indiana" by Court of Appeals of Indiana No. 1-972A68 ~ eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Charles Eugene Sparks v. State Indiana
- Author : Court of Appeals of Indiana No. 1-972A68
- Release Date : January 27, 1972
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 60 KB
Description
The defendant-appellant, Sparks, was convicted by a jury of first degree burglary, automobile banditry, and theft. The sole issue raised on appeal is whether or not the defendant was denied a fair trial by reason of a conversation between the court bailiff and members of the jury during the jurors deliberations. The facts, which are not disputed, can be summarized as follows: a few hours after the jury had begun deliberations, the bailiff was called by a juror to the door of the jury room. The juror stated to the bailiff that they wanted to be instructed as to the definition of disfranchisement and what they, as jurors, were required to do with respect to disfranchisement. The bailiff explained to all the members of the jury that only the Judge could re-read the instructions to the jury. The juror, however, persisted in requesting an explanation of disfranchisement, and the jury's duties in regard thereto. The bailiff relented and advised the jury, based on his understanding of the term, that disfranchisement meant that the defendant could not vote or hold public office. The juror then asked the bailiff whose duty it was to determine the period of disfranchisement, and the bailiff replied it was the jury's duty to determine the matter. The final question asked of the bailiff regarded when the period of disfranchisement would begin. The bailiff replied that it would begin right away.