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Document DOJ-OGR-00021865

AI Analysis

Summary: The document discusses the District Court's denial of a Rule 33 motion for a new trial based on Juror 50's allegedly erroneous responses during voir dire. The court applied the McDonough standard and found that Juror 50's responses were not deliberately incorrect and would not have led to a challenge for cause. The decision is supported by the deference given to the District Court's evaluation of the proof produced.
Significance: This document is potentially important because it discusses the legal standards and precedents governing Rule 33 motions and juror misconduct, and applies these standards to a specific case involving Juror 50.
Key Topics: Rule 33 motions for a new trial Juror misconduct during voir dire McDonough standard for evaluating juror responses
Key People:
  • Juror 50 - juror whose responses during voir dire are at issue
  • Maxwell - defendant in the case

Full Text

broad discretion to decide Rule 33 motions based upon its evaluation of the proof produced” and is shown deference on appeal.30 A Rule 33 motion based on a juror's alleged erroneous response during voir dire is governed by McDonough Power Equipment, Inc. v. Greenwood.31 Under McDonough, a party seeking a new trial “must first demonstrate that a juror failed to answer honestly a material question on voir dire, and then further show that a correct response would have provided a valid basis for a challenge for cause.”32 The District Court applied the McDonough standard, found Juror 50's testimony credible, and determined that Juror 50's erroneous responses during voir dire were “not deliberately incorrect” and that “he would not have been struck for cause if he had provided accurate responses to the questionnaire.”33 In fact, as the District Court noted, Maxwell did not challenge the inclusion of other jurors who disclosed past experience with sexual abuse, assault, or harassment. This is 30 United States v. Gambino, 59 F.3d 353, 364 (2d Cir. 1995) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). 31 464 U.S. 548 (1984). 32 Id. at 556. 33 A-340 (emphasis added). The Supreme Court reminds us that “[t]o invalidate the result of a [ ] trial because of a juror's mistaken, though honest response to a question, is to insist on something closer to perfection than our judicial system can be expected to give.” McDonough, 464 U.S. at 555.