Followup to Sept 16 post: NY's Highest Court Blasts Internet-Researching Jurors

The highest appellate court of New York has soundly criticized the bad-acting jurors who research on the Internet during trial in violation of the trial judge's admonitions.  Here we go again!  Murder conviction thrown out!  Retrial to great expense of all parties and anguish for witnesses.


https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/nyregion/robert-neulander-wife-murdered.html

Murder Conviction Tossed-Juror had texted 7,000 times during trial

Judges often comment about stuff that happens in the courtroom:  you can't make this stuff up.  Human behavior is limitless in the crazy things people do.  Like the guys peering into Old Faithful at Yellowstone Park despite all the warning signs- it's a federal crime!  So no one should be surprised that a juror texts 7,000 times during trial, the defendant is convicted and the conviction is reversed on appeal by the intermediate appellate court in New York.  It is now before NY's highest appellate court.


https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/robert-neulander-juror-texting-court-of-appeals-1.35890070

What is a "Rogue Juror?"

A "rogue juror" applies their own specialized knowledge and experience when rendering a verdict rather than analyzing the evidence.  Here is the appellate decision:


http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/documents/B285482.PDF

Self-described "Stupid Old Fool" Juror Gets 8 Months in Jail for Internet Research

One would think the message has gotten around to the public that ignoring a judge's admonitions about jurors discussing trial service on social media or doing Internet research can result in fines and/or jail time. But, oh no, here's another:


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6891529/Stupid-old-fool-65-jailed-doing-background-research-complex-criminal-trial.html

Defense Attorneys for El Chapo File Motion for Retrial

The lengthy and extremely expensive trial of El Chapo may have to be retried.  Defense attorneys have filed a motion for a new trial due to juror misconduct during the trial.
Link:https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/el-chapo-retrial-jury-misconduct-investigation-813433/

El Chapo Trial May Involve Juror Misconduct

In perhaps the most important federal criminal prosecution in years, juror misconduct may have occurred:


http://e.startribune.com/Olive/ODN/StarTribune/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=MST%2F2019%2F02%2F24&entity=Ar01502&sk=A293F31E&mode=text

A Case of Sheriff Behaving Badly: Snooping at Defense Counsel Notes and Jurors During Trial Results in Dismissal of Charges

This is quite astonishing:



https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/san-juan-sheriffs-use-of-courtroom-camera-to-view-jurors-notebook-lawyers-notes-sparks-outrage-and-dismissal-of-criminal-case/