People v. Buford

OPINION OF THE COURT

Hancock, Jr., J.

In each of these appeals from criminal convictions defendant argues that he was deprived of his constitutional and statutory rights to a jury trial when the trial court applied an improper standard in excusing a sworn juror during the trial, over his objection. We hold that in each case there should be a reversal and a new trial.

People v Buford

During defendant Buford’s trial on charges of murder, second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon, fourth degree, the court instructed the jurors several times that if they saw anything improper, they were to…