Judge removes, fines juror for Facebook comment
POSTED: 09:13 AM Monday, September 13, 2010
BY: Dolan Media Newswires
TAGS: Diane Druzinski, Facebook, Hadley Jons, Leann Etchison
BOSTON — A Michigan juror was recently excused from service and fined after she posted a comment on Facebook that it was “gonna be fun to tell the defendant they’re GUILTY” - before the defense even started its case.

Hadley Jons, 20, was a member of the jury in the trial of Leann Etchison, who was accused of resisting arrest.

Jons was removed after the 17-year-old son of the defense attorney discovered the comment while researching jurors for his mother, according to the Daily Tribune article, “Juror ordered to write essay about Sixth Amendment for posting Facebook posting.”

After an alternate was substituted for Jons, the jury convicted the defendant.

Last week, Jons appeared before presiding Judge Diane Druzinski on contempt charges.

Judge Druzinski fined Jons $250 and ordered her to write a five-page essay about the Sixth Amendment, due Oct. 1, admonishing her for violating her oath as a juror.

In addition to violating the state’s instructions to jurors not to form or express an opinion until the case is submitted for a verdict, Jons ran afoul of a new rule implemented by the Michigan Supreme Court in September 2009.

That rule forbids jurors from obtaining or disclosing information about the case electronically when they are outside the courtroom.

Other states have also struggled with jurors’ Internet use, including Indiana and Ohio, and the federal courts have recommended jury instructions that warn jurors against text messaging, tweeting or using other forms of social media to discuss cases.•

[quote=Pale]this ought to be a lesson for those using social media... [/quote

Or maybe just to those that can't seem to keep things under wrap....big mouths, immature, ignorant, will say anything to get attention withour realizing consequences to themselves and/or to others!