Juror Faces Contempt for Watching YouTube Video Before Deliberations
Just before Donald Fielder was set to be sentenced in Louisville, Ky., for the reckless homicide of his girlfriend, two jurors came forward to alert the judge that one of their panel members had brushed up on the case by watching a YouTube video featuring an A&E report on the case.
To the dismay of the prosecuting attorney, the judge is letting the conviction stand. But Circuit Court Judge Susan Schultz Gibson is calling the juror in to appear at a May 10 hearing to answer the allegations. Jurors had been admonished to avoid publicity about the case.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Erin White told NBC’s WAVE 3 that the unnamed juror is facing contempt of court for disobeying a court order. The juror has reportedly denied the charge.
Meanwhile, White is exploring her options to appeal to get the case reopened against Fielder, who was sentenced on April 19 to four years for the reckless homicide of Antigone Graham Smith, a mother of seven. White argues that the show The First 48 could have provided misinformation and changed the juror’s view of what was presented at trial and resulted in a lesser verdict, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.
Fielder’s lawyer, Amy Hannah, objected to the mistrial, arguing that the juror didn’t talk about watching the show until after the unanimous verdict.
Hat tip: Jur-E Bulletin.
