State v. Hiawatha Brown

OPINION

Justice INDEGLIA, for the Court.

Hiawatha Brown (Brown or defendant) appeals from a Superior Court judgment of conviction for simple assault and disorderly conduct. Brown contends that the trial justice committed reversible error in refusing to (1) hold a posttrial evidentiary hearing to determine if the jury was racially biased or if certain juror misconduct had occurred; (2) permit the entire fifteen-member jury panel to deliberate; and (3) instruct the jury that the aggressive actions of the police could constitute a defense to the charge of disorderly conduct. For the reasons set…