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STATE OF CONNECTICUT v. THOMAS CENTENO (SC 16494)
Norcott, Katz, Palmer, Vertefeuille and Zarella, Js. Argued December 5, 2001--officially released January 15, 2002

Joseph Visone, special public defender, for the appellant (defendant). Michele C. Lukban, assistant state's attorney, with whom, on the brief, were Scott J. Murphy, state's attorney, and Mary Rose Palmese, supervisory assistant state's attorney, for the appellee (state).
Opinion

KATZ, J. The sole issue in this certified appeal is whether the Appellate Court, in affirming the judgment of the trial court in a per curiam opinion; see State v. Centeno, 61 Conn. App. 906, 763 A.2d 1096 (2001); properly concluded that the trial court had not abused its discretion by failing to inquire into or investigate further the defendant's allegation, made following his conviction but before sentencing, that he knew one of the jurors in his case from a prior criminal relationship. We conclude that the trial court was required to conduct some inquiry regarding the allegation and, consequently, that the Appellate Court improperly affirmed the judgment. The record discloses the following pertinent facts. The defendant, Thomas Centeno, was charged in connection with events that occurred in October, 1997, with the crimes of larceny in the third degree in violation of General Statutes (Rev. to 1997)

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