Tennessee appellate panel hears challenge after juror failed to disclose past ties to prosecutors in Claiborne case

At an appellate hearing, Evan Wright, counsel for appellant Ronnie Claiborne, urged a Tennessee panel to grant a new trial on the ground that the jury foreperson failed to disclose prior employment with the prosecuting agency and prior relationships with law‑enforcement witnesses.

Wright told the court the nondisclosure undermines the defendant’s constitutional right to an impartial jury and argued that Tennessee precedent creates a presumption of bias when a juror conceals material information during voir dire. "The Tennessee Constitution guarantees every accused a trial by a jury free of disqualification on account of some bias or partiality," Wright said, adding that a defendant has "an absolute right to examine prospective jurors." He said the juror, Mr. Watson, had served in various roles with the county sheriff's office…