State v. Woodman

This criminal case presents two issues: (1) whether the trial court erred in ordering a new trial based on juror affidavits, and (2) whether the trial court’s jury instructions as to the mental state required to convict defendant of murder were erroneous.

A jury convicted defendant of murder. Defendant moved for a new trial and submitted affidavits from two jurors to demonstrate that the jurors were confused about the law when they convicted defendant. The trial court granted a new trial based on the juror affidavits. The state appealed that decision, and defendant cross-appealed, asserting…