Legal News
Juror Caused Court Case to Collapse by Carrying Out Internet Research (23 January 2012)
Date: 23/01/2012
A University lecturer who performed internet research on a man accused of rape has caused the court case in which she was a juror to collapse. Theodora Dallas, 34, told the court that she conducted the internet search, as she was unable to understand precisely what the judge had told her. Ms. Dallas claimed that the judge spoke “too softly” and as a result, she was unable to comprehend what he was saying. Her actions resulted in the collapse of the Luton Crown Court trial of Barry Medlock, who had been accused of grievous bodily harm.
Ms. Dallas informed her fellow jurors that she had discovered that Mr. Medlock had formerly been accused and cleared of rape, information that was not provided to jurors during the trial. She stated that she did not act to “influence” her fellow jurors but had had difficulties in understanding the information that the judge was conveying to them. Attorney-General Dominic Grieve, however, claimed that Ms. Dallas had been repeatedly told not to research the case using the internet or talk about the trial with others.
Ms. Dallas told the court that she had used the internet to determine the precise definition of “grievous bodily harm”. She claimed that when adding the word “Luton” to her search, she came across a newspaper report in which Mr. Medlock’s previous rape allegation was detailed. Following revealing her discovery to the jury, one of the jurors informed court staff, leading to the collapse of the case. Mr. Medlock was later re-tried, convicted and jailed.
Duncan Lewis’ criminal law solicitors can offer support to individuals who breach the rules of their jury service.