Layton Lester was convicted of murder and related offenses in the shooting death of Lorrine Bozeman. He challenged statements made to law enforcement and sought a mistrial based on the presence of an alternate juror during deliberations. The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed. The court clarified the applicable standard for evaluating an alternate juror’s presence and held that the trial court properly denied a new trial. The record showed that the alternate did not participate in deliberations or influence the verdict, and all twelve jurors confirmed that the alternate’s presence had no effect. The court also rejected Lester’s challenge to the statements and left the convictions and sentences intact.