November 21, 2022: In Broward County, Florida, a juror hearing the death penalty phase of the murder trial of Peter Avsenew is accused of watching a documentary about the first trial in 2018. That trial resulted in a conviction and sentence of death. The state Supreme Court reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial, which also ended in a conviction in June 2022 and a death sentence. The documentary, "Evil Lives Here," had an episode about the case and referred to an inflammatory letter the defendant wrote to the judge and that he gave the victims' families the middle finger in the courtroom. This information was shared by 2 jurors with the panel in a WhatsApp chat. This information was revealed by a concerned juror. Defense counsel want all jurors interviewed. The next hearing is December 7.
A video can be viewed on CBS Miami in which the judge interviews the juror (who is off-camera) about his misconduct. My concern is that, as stated in a 11-15-22 posting, this juror apparently had no counsel, was not given a Miranda warning, and has confessed in open court to contempt of court for which he could be fined or jailed, or could be charged with a crime.
More as the case progresses.
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