TV station might cause mistrial in Aaron Hernandez case
Two jurors from the Aaron Hernandez trail were allegedly followed home by a TV station’s van
After months of witness testimony and evidence, and roughly a year and a half after the incident occurred, Aaron Hernandez’s trial for the murder of Odin Lloyd is finally nearing an end. The jury is deliberating and a verdict could be reached shortly.
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Now before you get too excited, the actions of one local TV station may have thrown a wrench in the whole thing.
Two jurors in the Hernandez trial came to Judge E. Susan Garsh to tell her that a van from Boston TV station WHDH followed them home Wednesday.
During the two jurors’ private meeting with Garsh they gave her evidence that the van followed them. Garsh followed up by calling for a hearing with a member of WDHD asking them to explain their actions, according to Yahoo’s Dan Wetzel.
Garsh said that depending on how the jurors reacted, it could have caused either or both of them to be excused from the jury. The current jury is made up of seven women and five men, and there are also three alternates. Losing two jurors could have left this lengthy case that has stretched across 10 weeks, with enormous resources devoted to it, in jeopardy of a mistrial.
As it is, a mistrial is extremely unlikely, as there is no evidence that the jurors were approached by or spoke to anyone from the media.
WHDH released a statement in their Thursday noon newscast, denying that the station approached, spoke to or photographed any jurors.
"“This morning, in the Aaron Hernandez trial, the judge questioned 7News as to any impropriety with the jury in the case,” the statement reads. “7News did not approach any juror or talk to any juror. We also did not videotape or take pictures of any juror. We are continuing to work with the court and investigate the situation.”"
Despite the denials, it is very possible that the station will be banned from covering the trial, though the decision is awaiting Garsh’s hearing with a representative of the station. If no one comes forward, or if it is revealed to be a management decision rather than the decision of the individual driver, the station could be banned from the courthouse.
The jury meanwhile is trying to come to a conclusion on the Aaron Hernandez case, and he faces the possibility of life in prison.
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