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Mistrials Rise as Phone-Wielding Jurors Hit Web

Google searches, Twitter posts force end to cases

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 18, 2009 6:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – When a juror admitted last week that he had done online research during a major Florida drugs case, the judge thought he could dismiss the juror and continue. But he had to declare a mistrial when he questioned the jury—and found eight other jurors had been doing the same thing. As the New York Times reports, iPhone and BlackBerry-wielding jurors across the country are wrecking centuries-old rules of jurisprudence, and nobody knows what to do about it.

In one case, an Arkansas company was fined $12.6 million by a jury but is now appealing after it emerged that one juror was posting updates on Twitter. Online research is even more troubling: Jurors at lunch or in the bathroom can find information a judge has specifically excluded from the proceedings, hobbling the entire system. One juror in the Florida case justified Google searches and looking up news articles by saying, "Well, I was curious."

A juror deliberating corruption charges against Vincent Fumo, left, discussed the case on Facebook and Twitter and even promised a big announcement before the verdict. Fumo has moved for a mistrial.
A juror deliberating corruption charges against Vincent Fumo, left, discussed the case on Facebook and Twitter and even promised a "big announcement" before the verdict. Fumo has moved for a mistrial.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Superior Court Judge James Graham presides at a hearing at Superior Court in Hartford, Conn.
Superior Court Judge James Graham presides at a hearing at Superior Court in Hartford, Conn.   (AP Photo/Bob Child, Pool)
Judge Edward Cottingham speaks in court, Friday, March 6, 2009 in Lexington, SC.
Judge Edward Cottingham speaks in court, Friday, March 6, 2009 in Lexington, SC.   (AP Photo/The State, Tim Dominick)
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