United States v. Peter Joel Blosvern

Blosvern appeals from a judgment of conviction of violating 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1), distribution of 221.9 grams of cocaine. We affirm.

1. Voir dire of jurors

Rule 24, F.R.Crim.P., provides that, if the court conducts the examination of the jurors, it “shall itself submit to the prospective jurors such additional questions by the parties or their attorneys as it deems proper.” Implementing Rule 24, Local Rule 19(a) of the District Court provides that “requested questions for voir dire examination shall be in writing, filed . . . before commencement of the trial.”

When the case was called for trial, Blosvern’s counsel submitted a list of 18 proposed questions. Government counsel submitted a list of 11 proposed questions. After the jury box was filled, and after the judge had, by questions, ascertained the name, address, marital status and occupation of each juror, and the occupation of the spouse of each married juror, and before putting other questions, the court said:

The court then gave the jurors a brief statement of the nature of the case, and followed this by putting a number of questions to the jurors. These covered most of the ground covered in counsel’s lists…