Aaron Hernandez Trial: Mistrial Possible, Jurors Questioned About Being ‘Followed’ By WHDH TV Reporter [UPDATE]
On the morning of the second full day of deliberations in the Aaron Hernandez trial, there was a buzz about a possible mistrial due to juror issues. However, it appears that the real issue is with local Boston television station WHDH [See update to this story below]
According to multiple tweets by Boston Herald reporter Bob McGovern, Judge E. Susan Garsh stated that a potential mistrial could happen down the road, and the problem could have led to the dismissal of two jurors. The reason? Two of the 12 jurors reported that they were being watched by a single person inside a WHDH van outside the Fall River, Massachusetts courthouse. They presented photos of the license plate to Judge Garsh during a short hearing Thursday morning.
Garsh says there was one person in the vehicle, it slowed down when jurors left and was watching them. #AaronHernandez
— Bob McGovern (@BobMcGovernJr) April 9, 2015
The two jurors who reported the problem were brought into the courtroom on Thursday morning, a male juror appearing first, surrounded by attorneys, Aaron Hernandez, and Judge E. Susan Garsh. Minutes later, a second juror, described by McGovern as a “young woman,” was escorted into the courtroom to speak with Garsh.
By 9:50 a.m., Garsh made it crystal clear that she may ban the television station from the courtroom.
TRANSCRIPT of sidebar: Second juror describes what she saw: #WCVB #AaronHernandez #HernandezTrial pic.twitter.com/xoae4FATsn
— Liam Martin (@LiamWCVB) April 9, 2015
Judge Garsh spoke of possible ramifications against the TV station, including barring them from the courthouse #AaronHernandez — Brian Fraga (@BfragaHN) April 9, 2015
Garsh said this could have led to the dismissal of two jurors, and potentially a mistrial down the road. #AaronHernandez — Bob McGovern (@BobMcGovernJr) April 9, 2015
Judge Garsh then spoke directly to the reporter in question, Byron Barnett from WHDH, a local Boston television station.
INSIDE THE COURTROOM: The reporter for WHDH is standing. He is addressing the judge. @Byron_Barnett — Adam Bagni (@NBC10_Adam) April 9, 2015
Garsh is reportedly ordering a transcript of what was said in court this morning and will make a decision later in the day as to what steps she will take.
Garsh: There was 1 person in the van watching jurors. There are state felony statutes that prohibit juror harassment. #AaronHernandez -RK — Wild About Trial (@WildAboutTrial) April 9, 2015
UPDATE: Judge Garsh will hold a hearing with representatives from WHDH at approximately 2 p.m. ET. Prior to the lunch break, she handed out an order with regards to juror interference.
Judge Garsh issues new order regarding juror interference #AaronHernandez pic.twitter.com/Wm2mObU0yO
— Lisa Kraus Edwards (@LAKEdwards) April 9, 2015
Closing arguments by both the prosecution and defense took place on Tuesday. The case was handed over to a 12-person jury late in the afternoon, with a full day of deliberations starting on Wednesday. The outcome of the case has been a top trend on Twitter with the hashtags #AaronHernandez and #VerdictWatch being used to follow the case.
Pending a mistrial, once the jury’s decision is made, expect the reading of the verdict to be aired live online, on CNN, and HLN TV, as well as some local Boston-area TV channels.
