People v. Khalek

In People v. Khalek (91 N.Y.2d 838, 689 N.E.2d 914, 666 N.Y.S.2d 1020 [1997]), a court officer usurped the court's authority by telling the jury that it would have to be sequestered overnight even though it had reached a verdict. Because of the court officer's improper instruction, the jury did not report its verdict (evidently a complete acquittal) and resumed deliberations the following morning, ultimately convicting defendant of one of the charges.