Trial Over - We Said Not Guilty

[ProfessorGAC]

Two day trial for felony domestic battery.
State proved little.
They told me to be foreperson and we talked 35 or 40 minutes. First vote, 0 - 12.
After rendering verdict to judge, we went back & both counsels came to our room.
They told us stuff that wasn't admissible as evidence.
The accused is a deadbeat dad & and a tool. So was minor victim's mom.
I think we got caught in a blood feud.
Happened in July, and the divorce was final 2.5 years before that.
But, I think vengeance was in play. Not certain, just a feeling.
Either way, just because the guy was a jerk doesn't mean he was guilty of this crime.
Now, I can see issues for him in near future because he's 10 grand behind in child support.
Also, all 12 of us thought the family member/nurse who testified for the defense lied, but still didn't think the guy was guilty.
Interesting experience. First time I've ever been selected. I've testified as an expert witness twice in civil cases, but never a juror until now.

[abqtommy]

1. When I was a juror we all took an oath to never discuss any aspects of the trial we were on

to anyone outside the court/jury room...didn't you?

[obamanut2012]

2. The trial is over, they can 100% discuss it

There are no laws that say otherwise, except for grand jury under seal.

[abqtommy]

5. The judge in the case I was on was very emphatic about the word "never", saying that juror

communication affected not only the trial underway but future appeals... but of course we all do as we see best.

[Whiskeytide]

3. That rule is usually lifted AFTER the trial ...

... has concluded- unless the judge imposes it beyond that time.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. While The Case Is In Court, Yes

And the judge specifically said during the trial. Not even amongst the jurors. We didn't.
Case over so no longer applies. The judge did not(!) say never. He said "for the duration of the trial, until a final outcome is reached.". There's no appeal because of double jeopardy rules.
Pretty insulting of you to ask.

[empedocles]

4. I was on a jury, where a police lieutenant was on video, clearly guilty of numerous

offenses, including assault and intimidation, etc.
republicons on jury, argued on end since 9-'11 police need more 'leeway'.
refused to rule against officer. civil case, only need a preponderance of the evidence.
hard to win case against the police.

[ismnotwasm]

7. Husband did jury duty for DV

They found that piece of shit guilty, except on one count. She had been trying to call 911 and he grabbed the phone and threw it, preventing emergency calls like that is a crime, or it is in Washington state.

My husband last manned it and held out until the guy was found guilty on all charges. Still proud of him for that. There was overwhelming evidence of domestic violence though.

Both suffered from severe substance abuse disorder

I’ve been a witness for a jury trial and I would be so scared to lie, I amazed that so many people do.