Juror dismissed after posting Facebook poll about court case

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 24-Nov-08, 11:35

LONDON - A juror has been thrown off a trial in Lancashire after she posted a poll on Facebook asking friends if they thought the defendants were guilty.

The woman was on the jury for a case about child abduction and sexual assault, the details of which she posted on her Facebook page, according to a report in The Sun.

She wrote on her webpage: "I don't know which way to go, so I'm holding a poll."

The juror was subsequently dismissed from Burnley Crown Court in Lancashire after an anonymous person reportedly informed the court about the content on the website.

She could have been charged with contempt of court, as jurors are not allowed to discuss details of cases to anyone, even family members.

The trial continued with 11 jurors, who found the defendants not guilty of child abduction and sexual assault, according to The Sun.

Comments

Amod Munga - 24/11/2008

Brilliant. Just brilliant. Any bets on a mistrial? Amazing that she has intelligence enough to work a computer at all. Daft bint.

Dan Hosford - 24/11/2008

Schoolgirl. Does she not read the trade press?

Dave Stoker - 24/11/2008

"Computer says no". That'll be life, then.

james vanderzee - 24/11/2008

an interesting story indeed! perhaps with the increasing use of social media in today's society we're not actually that far away from the eventual introduction of a platform for defendants to be tried by their peers virtually...