State v. Salters

Rhodes, Justice:

Appellants were convicted by a jury on indictments charging arson, conspiracy to commit arson, and burning personal property with the intent to defraud an insuurer. We reverse and remand for a new trial based upon the trial judge’s refusal to poll the jury concerning prejudicial newspaper publicity during the trial.

Appellants’ jury trial in Richland County commenced on Tuesday, June 7, 1977 and ended on Friday, June 10, 1977. The jury was not sequestered during the trial proceedings. Before dismissing the jury after the first day of trial, the judge instructed the members to…