People v. Percy Harris

The defendant was convicted by a jury of felonious assault, contrary to MCLA 750.82; MSA 28.277, and appeals. The errors asserted on appeal relate solely to defendant’s right to be present at critical stages of his trial; specifically: during inquiries into possible jury tampering. Hence it is unnecessary to repeat here the facts surrounding the alleged crime.

During the jury deliberations, it was reported to the trial court that defendant had been seen exiting a restroom shortly after the jury foreman left the same restroom. The trial court decided that a hearing was necessary to determine…