Friday, November 21, 2014

Really Bad Juror: Juror Commits Multiple Violations of Judge's Admonitions; Conviction Reversed But For Bias

In Iowa a juror committed multiple violations of the trial judge's instructions during criminal trial: failing to disclose relationships with victim's family during voir dire; Facebooking and researching defendant's age; speaking about case to others at a convenience store.  But on appeal most all the violations were determined insufficient for remand, however a finding of bias (acquaintanceship with victim's family) resulted in reversal and remand for new trial.

Link: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/2750822/state-of-iowa-v-tyler-james-webster/

So we have had movies "Bad Teacher" and "Bad Grandpa"...so how about Adam Sandler or Pauly Shore starring in "BAD JUROR" ?

Monday, November 10, 2014

Goodman Convicted in Retrial In Case Fraught With Juror Misconduct & Alleged $1 million Bribe

To update from my last post, John Goodman was convicted in a retrial of his criminal case in which there was a mistrial in the first trial due to juror misconduct. 

Link:  http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polo-mogul-convicted-again-in-deadly-palm-beach-dui/

The juror issues are multiple: juror Van Vliet's disclosure of prior trial; a juror sneaking a computer into his hotel room while sequestered; a juror accused of lying during voir dire.  Something tells me we haven't heard the last about this conviction.

Link: http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/john-goodman-retria-more-goodman-juror-problems

A Vermont man is accused of offering up to $1 million for an acquittal:

Link:  http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/crime-law/report-man-wanted-at-least-500000-to-sway-goodman-/nh3xz/