January 3, 2024: A Florida judge found that defense counsel failed to prove juror misconduct in a trial in which a jury awarded the Kowalski family $211 million against Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital for false imprionment and other counts involving their daughter, Maya, then 9, now 17.; and the suicide of her mother over the distress of her daughter's care. It was alleged that during the trial the jury foreman's wife posted about the trial on social media and attended court one day and that they both posted comments after the trial. Juror #1 denied talking to his wife about the trial while it was taking place and denied doing any research during the trial, including about hospital physicians. Other proposed questions by defense counsel were not allowed. Defense's new trial motion was denied.
A blog about the very small percentage of jurors who fail to follow the judge's instructions, including doing independent Internet research, using social media (such as Facebook) to contact parties and lawyers, and blogging about the trial. Juror misconduct frequently results in mistrials and a waste of resources. Links will be provided to sample jury summonses, jury instructions, and other resources to improve juror education and minimize juror misconduct, thereby promoting fairness of trials.

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