Polynice v. State

GARRETT, Judge.

Appellant seeks a new trial because the jury foreman was the step father of one of the state witnesses. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

During voir dire, a prospective juror, C.E. Harvey, informed the court that his step son was one of the police officers on the state’s witness list.- He also mentioned that he had a second son in law enforcement. The trial judge denied defense counsel’s motion to excuse Mr. Harvey for cause. Out of peremptory challenges, appellant asked for an additional one, but the trial judge refused to grant the request. Mr. Harvey became a member of…