United States v. Alfred J. Taylor, Jr., A/K/A Red, and Joseph M. Dean

JAMES LAWRENCE KING, District Judge:

The appellants were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. In this appeal,' they assert six grounds for reversal. Finding merit in one, we reverse.

Prior to the selection of the jury, Mrs. Sevely, a prospective juror, requested excuse from jury duty. This request was denied, and she was subsequently selected to serve on the appellants’ jury. The night of the second day of trial, she telephoned the trial judge in an emotional state, complaining about the denial of her request to be excused.

The…