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Florida judge grills jurors in Goodman trial

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    Legal panel weighs in on the case

  • Duration 5:34
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-- -- -- back in session on the docket today bombshell allegations of a tainted verdict and jurors taking the witness stand.

A convicted Florida polo tycoon could go free after being found guilty of drunken driving and hitting and killing a young man with his car.

Judge Jeffrey -- back -- several jurors yesterday about whether Denny are guilty a potential misconduct.

One of the jurors admitting.

That he felt pressured to go along with the rest of the jurors who he believed had made up their minds before the deliberations -- Before the trial was over before you sort of deliberate.

Did anybody ever say to you were in your presence or suggest that they've heard enough evidence they've made their mind up that they -- gonna vote one way or the other.

Yes the that's quite a few.

Comments like come.

We always guilty let's just -- working.

-- -- That's not good for those who are trying to uphold this bird act.

Joining me now to discuss it Joey Jackson former prosecutor now defense attorney and Mercedes -- a Fox News legal analyst.

-- the defense.

Was tipped off by an alternate juror that she said he's in inappropriate conversations were taking place and now we have the actual jurors being cross examined by the judge jelly.

And they at least that one in his name -- Michael Saint John -- West Palm Beach got up there and said that a judge she's right we did what she set.

That's a problem look you know what happens Megan in these cases is that the sixth amendment plays very deep what does it say it says and a number of things but important to what is that you're allowed a public trial but more importantly a fair trial and that's fair trial is by -- impartial jury.

What -- you have an unsettling of that process and a jury juries are determined to have made up their mind and not to take the process seriously.

It becomes really a reversible -- And here's what happens we now Mercedes a -- you as a very experienced trial attorney judges repeatedly going -- to the trawler admonishing jurist you not to talk about vacation not to reach any conclusion you not to draw conclusions -- saved.

Whatever you wanna say until the deliberations and at that point you can be -- -- -- if there's any violation of that process after the fact.

What is the remedy a new trial.

And now that's -- the defense is asking where they want this verdict thrown out saying it was tainted Mercedes -- that juror.

Once again speaking to the alleged hate in the jury listen.

I was trying to show them another side calm -- they got out and with me.

He -- you know I don't wanna be here any longer we have to the guy's guilty and then that's it.

Didn't feel that -- The whole process was and taken seriously.

Grounds for new -- I'm not -- no because -- one thing.

First of all -- remorse doesn't mean a new trial every single one of those jurors were polled after the verdict is this your verdict yet is -- -- -- They went down all of those actors including mr.

Saint John.

Who was under oath and he think -- that is his verdict now weeks later say.

Well I really look in my verdict I was I was pressured into it the judge is going to think about it.

I step back I hear just to say mr.

saint John the -- step back and look at the evidence and he and the judge will look at the evidence and say.

Was this alleged misconduct with such a miscarriage of justice.

That it would have resulted in a different verdict and if -- -- the evidence certainly certainly is testimony all the evidence that that certainly points to one.

Think that he's guilty verdict is no horse that's interesting verdict remorse that jurors sometimes feel doesn't get you grounds for new trial and -- when I listen to that -- complaints.

It sounded a lot like well they weren't taken as seriously says.

I I felt like -- they were pressuring me and -- they have their minds made up.

Well that happens so he going to carry around people who they think do form opinions during the course of the trial and it's usual for jurors to look around say.

-- I think he did it right now every also -- did.

Improper now it and it depends upon what it occurs and certainly it shouldn't card going to deliberations and at that point people should stay with -- use -- and you reach a decision but it's more than that I understand that -- announces.

That's he announces what that will take place.

But when he was asked the question -- as appalled as us defense attorneys told jurors at the verdict.

What happens is he's going to say it was a very convert it could -- coercive environment and at that point he felt intimidated and fearful of actually coming out and -- And that's why what we do -- attorneys in trial attorneys mega you know this all too well is we approach the bench if there's something that a juror wants to say.

And it's in that environment where -- can be very -- and say you know judge I have something to tell you but when you -- -- and they don't admit that things when there's a crowd full of people around what you expect.

-- he says he averted his -- here's one juror telling a very different story listen.

Before -- that deliberations started during the trial but before that deliberations.

Did.

You have any conversations with anyone on -- did you go over -- conversations.

That suggested that anyone of the jurors had made up their mind -- decided I've heard enough evidence I'm not gonna -- -- the -- -- the trial and I.

Made my mind abominable guilty or not it did anything like that go -- absolutely -- What's gonna happen received quick last word I think the judges gonna say no it's the verdicts going to stand I don't blame her blood from trying everything he's facing up to thirty years of president gonna face is that if he doesn't get this -- -- -- in the trial try everything.

An amendment -- -- like this I think -- incredible -- Mercedes thank you -- so much I think.

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