Legal Question in Sexual Harassment in Massachusetts

is it grounds

recently i was at a trial for support for a friend, my question is befor the jury was picked (they needed 6 juriors) the pending juriors were all in a room thgether before they were picked, come to find out 1 of the potentional juriours were a twin sister for the other side, no she didn't get picked for ovious reasons but before they were picked they were all in a room, and she knew the whole sory of what went on whos to say she didn't start rumors to the other juriours beforehand,eveything was against him he was still found not guilty, we are wondering if her being there had anything to do with it, question could this be considered a mistrial?just very curious


Asked on 5/03/07, 9:59 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
J. Whitfield Larrabee J. Whitfield Larrabee

Re: is it grounds

It is an interesting question you pose. It sounds like pure speculation that the twin sister engaged in any impropriety. Even if she did engage in impropriety, a mistrial could not be declared because the defendant was acquitted, and principals of double jeopardy (A criminal defendant, once acquitted, cannot be tried again for the same offense) would bar retrial. If anyone was alleged to have tampered with the jury, intimidated any juror or obstructed the legal process, or conspired to do so, they could potentially face criminal charges.

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Answered on 5/03/07, 11:25 am


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