Rolf Harris Trial Jury Questions

[Jomlett]

After 6 days, 2 hours ago the jury passed the judge a note with five questions about the case.

Here they are:

1) can we discuss the legal directions given, as there seems some confusion. A juror is making behavioural assumptions which is taken into account as evidence on many counts?

2) we are to judge each count independently, please clarify?

3) is it allowed to stereotype what the victim should have done prior to an alleged offence taking place in more than one count and using it against them?

4) as opposed to using patterns within counts to help an outcome of one count, surely it is non advisable to take evidence from one count in the future to judge the count in the here and now, NB counts three to nine, please clarify?

5) can the voracity of a witness statement in one count be taken into account when judging the voracity of a witness statement in another count?

[Jomlett]

The judge's response to questions was to remind jurors of parts of his directions, which were given to them before they retired.

[ToraToraTora]

1)-5) that is exactly what they are discussing! that's it in a nutshell! gawd help us they must have imported 12 wally brains from somewhere. dear judge can you tell us what the verdict is! Perlease, I don't often feel sorry for judges!

[Jomlett]

The judge's response is the expurgated version!

[Jomlett]

Jury sent home for the day. They will be back in court tomorrow at 11am. Later start as judge has other matters to deal with.

[Zacs-Master]

It's not the first time they've asked for guidance:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jun/21/rolf-harris-trial-jurors-given-a-break-after-asking-judge-for-directions

[Zacs-Master]

I'm not sure how the source (news.com.au?) obtained the information. Surely the info is sub judice?

[DTCwordfan]

at least they are taking it seriously.....

[kinell]

there is no IQ test before being called for jury service.......

[mikey4444]

Jomlett...where did you get this from ? I thought that the proceedings within a Jury Room were sacrosanct ? Please include links in the future.

[Peter Pedant]

I dont feel sorry for judges at all
Do you realise that the pensions of a High Court Judge kicks off at £96 000 ?

He deserves to be surrounded by thickos today - the jury of course not the defendants - for money like that tomorrow

[Zacs-Master]

I already questioned the source and accuracy Mikey.

[Zeuhl]

I don't know where you found them jomlett

but most of them seem to just be a random collection of words. Some of them the wrong ones LOL

Are they from a trial in Poland and been through some translation software?

[Jomlett]

From the Mirror website but Vicky Smith relays the info in real time from the court and the judge will direct reporters if any is sub judice.

Rolf Harris trial: Recap updates as jury considers its verdicts for a sixth day http://bit.ly/1jR2Te0

[Zacs-Master]

Zeuhl, I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought they were gobbledygook.

[Peter Pedant]

No well done Jumbo - - - I think they troop in and ask the questions dont they ? and so it is in open court and can be reported.

The only thing we cant do is discuss the case -
here we are positing about the intelligence of the jurors...which isnt about the case m'lord

I quite liked voracity which I took at face value like one of the witnesses was like mad for it...

oh and the judge gets bad tempered if the jury read this crap
but as far as I can see -we can write it.
jury told not to go on the internet about the case....

On Oz news because of the international flavour of the digeridoo etc I suppose

[Peter Pedant]

I think this is accurate
and JomJom deserves a Gold Star for the fridge

I think 'they' are just jealous you did it Jay Jay and not themselves.
but I.... but I have a much larger heart....well done I say

( can you mark me as best answer please ?)

[Jomlett]

Too late! Jumbo got Best Answer, Peter!

[New Judge]

Actually, although not very well put, these questions are not so daft as some are suggesting. This question:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Criminal/Question1342783.html

discussed the fairness (or otherwise) of cases with multiple charges. It seems the jury are confused about how much weight they can use from the evidence in (say) count one to help in their deliberations in (say) count 2. They are not lawyers and their confusion is somewhat understandable.

[New Judge]

No they do not troop in and ask the judge, Peter. They pass a note to the judge via the jury bailiff.

[jeffa]

5) One of the best typos ever!