United States v. Thomas P. Dempsey

LOGAN, Circuit Judge.

This appeal requires us to consider whether and under what circumstances a particular deaf member of our society may serve on a federal jury. Defendant, Thomas P. Dempsey, was convicted of the theft of color television sets from an interstate shipment, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 659, and conspiracy to commit this theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371. On appeal defendant argues that the trial court erred in (1) denying defendant’s challenge for cause against a deaf juror and (2) allowing an interpreter to be present during jury deliberations. 1

At the outset of this…