Brown v. Rednour

Dist. Ct. did not err in denying defendant's habeas petition challenging his murder conviction on grounds that member of jury read in jury room police report that had not been admitted into evidence. Dist. Ct. could properly view situation as harmless error where defendant was identified both at scene of crime as shooter and in photo lineup within hours of murder. Moreover, Ct. could not say that instant police report had substantial and injurious effect on jury's verdict where contents of police report contained no material evidence that was not otherwise properly before jury.