Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
Contrary to the defendant's contentions, he was not denied his constitutional and statutory right to a jury in whose selection he had a voice. The record reveals that prior to the completion of jury selection, a sworn juror was discharged because he had disregarded the court's admonitions by speaking to the Assistant District Attorney involved in the case. Noting on the record that the juror had proven himself incapable of following the most basic of its instructions, the court discharged the juror. Under these circumstances, the court permissibly exercised its discretion pursuant to CPL 270.15 (3) in determining that the juror's conduct constituted grounds justifying his discharge. Bracken, J.P., Kooper, Miller and Ritter, JJ., concur.