By: E&P Staff A judge in Prince William County, Va., dismissed a guilty verdict in a murder trial after learning that a juror in the case had bought newspapers the day the jury considered the defendant's guilt, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
Circuit Court Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. threw out the first-degree murder conviction of Gerardo N. Lara Sr. after the defense reportedly produced a videotape of a juror buying local newspapers, the Post reported.
Juror Lindy L. Heaster of Woodbridge was then held in contempt of court after she acknowledged to the judge that she had purchased newspapers last Friday morning, the day the verdict was given, Jon E. Shields, an attorney for the defendant, told the Post.
Last week, Shields told the paper, he saw Heaster buy the papers at a 7-Eleven. Shields said he then requested a mistrial on behalf of Lara, who was charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing of his wife, Marissa Lara.
Heaster reportedly swore under oath Friday that she only purchased a cup of coffee at the store, and Alston denied the request for a mistrial at that time. But, following the conviction and a recommended 40-year prison sentence, Shields obtained the convenience store receipt and a surveillance tape.
On Wednesday, Shields presented prosecutors and the judge with the videotape of Heaster leaving the convenience store with two newspapers, and Shields again filed for a mistrial. Heaster then conceded that she had lied to the court, Shields said.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here