When a trial judge receives a note from an individual juror raising issues material to the jury's consideration of the case, the judge must reconvene the court in the presence of the accused and prosecutor (initially without the jury), read the material parts of the note into the record, mark the note as an exhibit for identification, invite submissions from the parties, and then direct the jury in open court. Returning the note through the bailiff with a direction not to receive individual juror communications is a material irregularity that cannot be cured by the proviso where the potential materiality of the juror's question cannot be excluded. The obligation to follow proper procedure is heightened where the accused is self-represented.
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