In a case illustrating the importance of remedies for errors causing significant prejudice against a criminal defendant, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals recently presided over an appeal originating from the heart of Montgomery County. This case, D.M.G. v. State of Alabama, explores the impact of an extraneous document on a criminal defendant’s trial, ultimately resulting in the grant of a new trial.

The defendant, D.M.G., was accused of sodomizing his minor stepdaughter while living in the same home in the summer of 2018. At trial, the defendant was convicted of sodomy in the first degree and sentenced to 18 months in prison. The defendant filed a motion for a new trial, which was denied, prompting this appeal.

On appeal, the defendant argued that extraneous information had been introduced at trial, which influenced the jury’s considerations. Extraneous information includes any information that is irrelevant, or otherwise unrelated to the charges at hand. The information in question came from an admitted document, which indicated the involvement of two victims in the defendant’s charges. Although attempts were made to redact the references, the jury became aware of the potential second victim. One juror admitted that the information in question directly influenced her to vote guilty. This view was also reinforced by an affidavit from the jury foreperson, who had reasonable doubts until the admission of the redacted document. Over the course of four hearings, the prejudicial impact of the document was clearly established, but the Court was reluctant to overturn the verdict without additional juror testimony, including cross-examination. Under the defendant’s view of the case, the circuit court erred in admitting the document. Additionally, the defendant argued that Rule 606 of the Alabama Rules of Evidence permitted the juror’s affidavit as evidence that the jury had considered extraneous information when deciding.

The Court of Criminal Appeals, in reviewing the defendant’s case, found that the document was extraneous. The redacted information was still visible, implying the existence of a second victim, which served as a critical element of the jury’s verdict. The circuit court’s own acknowledgement of the error provided further support for the defendant’s appeal, causing the Court to reverse and remand the case, granting the defendant a new trial free from the prejudice of the extraneous document.

The case of D.M.G. v. State of Alabama illustrates the wide-reaching impacts of prejudice in a criminal trial. When a defendant can prove harmful prejudice, as was the case here, the Court has the authority to grant a new trial, furthering the broad interest in fairness that underscores the American criminal justice system. While not all prosecutorial misconduct is actionable, errors that create a tangible impact on a defendant’s trial outcomes can be challenged and appealed, illustrating the safeguards in place when protecting the constitutional rights of criminal defendants.

If you have a Federal Criminal case, a State Criminal case, a Municipal Case or a Family Law case, contact Joe Ingram or Joe Ingram Law LLC at 205-335-2640. Get Relief Get Results.