State v. Coughlin

MOORE, Chief Justice.

State appeals from trial court’s order sustaining defendant’s motion to set aside jury verdict of guilty of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage contrary to Code section 321.281.

During their deliberation the jury sent a written question to the trial judge asking whether they could use information which one of the jurors had obtained from the World Book Encyclopedia concerning how fast the human body absorbs alcohol. The trial judge admonished the jury it was improper to discuss or consider such information. A guity verdict was…