Thomas v. People

OPINION OF THE COURT

Hodge, Chief Justice.

Kamal Thomas appeals his convictions for third degree assault, using a dangerous weapon during the commission of a crime of violence, simple assault, and threatening a witness. He contends that the trial court committed reversible error by denying his motion for a new trial without first conducting a hearing to investigate possible juror misconduct. Based on the evidence presented to the trial court, we agree.

I. STATEMENT OF RELEVANT FACTS AND PROCEDURAL POSTURE

This appeal arises from Thomas’s second trial. In his first trial, the People charged him…