"Another One (Juror) Bites the Dust!"-Texting Juror Heads to the Hoosgow

Like Queen sang, "Another one bites the dust!"  Here again a juror is texting IN THE COURTROOM and the sanction is a visit to the local hoosgow, clink, slammer.  Not surprisingly the violator is under 30.

http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Juror-held-in-contempt-for-texting-during-trial/kNNQtlm9_kuqKtAPXvY8KA.cspx?rss=191

Bailiif's Comment to Jurors Causes Mistrial

Sometimes trial participants other than the jurors cause mistrials through their poor judgment.  Here is a link to an article about a mistrial caused by a bailiff's comment to jurors implying that they should acquit the defendant and get this #$%@! case over with.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/mar/29/memphis-rape-case-ends-in-mistrial-as-jury-by-is/

Deliberating Jurors' Use of Toy Cars to Re-enact Accident Not Grounds for Inquiry

A juror bought toy cars over break in criminal trial deliberations and jurors then used them to re-enact the accident that was the subject of the trial.  Judge denied motion for inquiring further of the jurors, deciding using toy cars was no different than diagraming the accident on paper.
Link: http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/E054307.PDF

Juror Dismissed in Arias Trial For Comments to Fellow Juror

In the sensational, nationally-followed Arias trial, the judge has denied a mistrial, but dismissed a juror for comments to a fellow juror indicating lack of impartiality.

Link:  http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BOYFRIEND_SLAYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT