People v. Pickett

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

While the jury was being polled one juror, when asked whether the verdicts were hers, responded, “Yes, under duress, I’m saying yes”. The Trial Judge then asked her, “Are they your verdicts, yes or no?”, to which the juror replied, “Yes.” Defense counsel thereupon requested the court to hold a hearing to make a determination as to what the stated duress consisted of. We agree with the Appellate Division that the denial of this request was error.

In light of the juror’s reference to “duress”, the trial court…