Geisinger v. Board of County Commissioners

How later courts describe this case

• "the giving of multiple `Allen' charges is to be avoided and may constitute reversible error..."
• “the preferable rule is to uphold the trial judge’s exercise of discretion unless he acts arbitrarily or irrationally”
• jury instructed that "[i]t is important that a decision ... be reached here, and I really see no good reasons why a decision cannot be reached"
• harmless error analysis applies when trial judge answers jury's note without defendant or his counsel being present
• second deadlock instruction upheld after an 11-1 split for conviction, known to the trial court, continued and a signed note by the holdout juror delivered to the court
• introduction of gun to establish bank robbery defendant’s identity and opportunity, held permissible
• affirming decision to give second modified Allen charge
• two ABA instructions not reversible error