GUILTY UK - Helen Bailey, 51, Royston, 11 April 2016 #4

[Tortoise]

It's not due to start until 10:30 today.

 

[Lit Up]

I think there's no case today due to a jury issue.

 

[Moll]

I think there's no case today due to a jury issue.

Oh, not again! Are you at the court, Lit Up?

 

[BatFace]

Oh maaaaan! Say it ain't so!

 

[looroll]

Most. Frustrating. Trial. Ever!!!! x

 

[Lit Up]

Yes and my understanding is the jury will be called in and dismissed because one juror has a terminally ill relative. This juror may be discharged. Clearly if I'm wrong I'll look stupid lol

 

[Alyce]

Yes and my understanding is the jury will be called in and dismissed because one juror has a terminally ill relative. This juror may be discharged. Clearly if I'm wrong I'll look stupid lol

Thanks for the update Lit Up. Poor juror. But I do hope it doesnt go to an 11 person Jury. Always worries me.

 

[Alyce]

Just from the court listings it would appear that the earlier case is in session at the moment. It is a sentencing and there is an interpreter involved.

 

[neteditor]

Yes and my understanding is the jury will be called in and dismissed because one juror has a terminally ill relative. This juror may be discharged. Clearly if I'm wrong I'll look stupid lol

Deleted, misread Lit's post.

 

[hunkerdown]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-e...today&&ns_fee=0#post_589453eee4b0cb77c14e6e4e


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[icemaiden65]

Deleted, misread Lit's post.

I think, but don't know for sure, that the trial can continue with as few as nine jurors according to a UK Govt website I just peeked at. Usually dismissal of a whole jury and a 'fresh jury' restart is in cases of 'jury tampering'. I may well be wrong although it does make sense not to go over the same ground again with a fresh jury unless absolutely necessary.

Return to sitting beside laptop gently doing some 'arty stuff' in whilst waiting.

 

[neteditor]

Oh well, suppose that means I should get back to what I am meant​ to be doing

 

[icemaiden65]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-e...today&&ns_fee=0#post_589453eee4b0cb77c14e6e4e


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh that poor juror and family. There's no way they could continue on the jury and even give it half their attention right now.

 

[icemaiden65]

Oh well, suppose that means I should get back to what I am meant​ to be doing

Me too! How are you with ironing? Sigh.

 

[neteditor]

I think, but don't know for sure, that the trial can continue with as few as nine jurors according to a UK Govt website I just peeked at. Usually dismissal of a whole jury and a 'fresh jury' restart is in cases of 'jury tampering'. I may well be wrong although it does make sense not to go over the same ground again with a fresh jury unless absolutely necessary.


Return to sitting beside laptop gently doing some 'arty stuff' in whilst waiting.

Yes I googled this doc up:

https://www.judiciary.gov.uk/wp-con...ts/Protocols/jury_irregularities_protocol.pdf

But it seems only to relate to potentialy jury tampering as you say, wasn't sure about illness, but I agree having read it again I think minimum of 9 would apply. I've seen whole juries be discharged and trials restarted (ETA: for jury corruption) but can't remember one this far down the line in evidence (ETA: for a sick juror). There was one case - at the time it was the longest-running trial ever in English history, a fraud trial at Nottingham Crown Court. One of my colleagues unfortunatey misreported something and herself, our editor and the owner of the agency we worked for were hauled before the judge first thing next morning on contempt of court charges. Came VERY close to having the jury discharged after a year and a bit's trial proceedings. There was a lot of sweating that day! In the end corrections were published and everyone got away with smacked wrists.

 

[michelle230]

So 6-7 weeks was the time span given originally for the trial.

Next week will be into the fifth week. Also I have next Friday down as a "no court day" which we were told about at the start of the trial. Therefore it would seem like there are going to be few witnesses for the defence. My guess is the main defence witness could be a medical person to explain IS`s illness. I can`t think of anyone else for the defence.
In a previous post I thought of three possible factors which IS will present:
1. Ill health
2. Helen`s and his "loving relationship"
3. Sooty and Sweep (aka Nick and Joe).
Anyone got any ideas to add?

 

[neteditor]

Me too! How are you with ironing? Sigh.

Swap you for writing my crappy book :tantrum:

 

[Cherwell]

There's a huge hive of activity going on in areas the public can't see. Court clerks and judges are all behind then scenes. You'd see barristers and solicitors a fair bit as they move between court rooms and other areas (there are interview rooms off the public areas where legal teams can meet with witnesses to discuss cases in private).

This is why I always get a bit irritated when people complain about trials not taking up a full (9 - 5) day. I've never attended a trial, but it's obvious to me that there is a lot more to it than what we see or read about.

 

[icemaiden65]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/553968/Male-nurse-murder-trial-will-restart-after-jury-discharged

Just found this one from 2015 where a juror couldn't continue due to family problems- so looks as if there may be a possibility of the jury being discharged.

 

[icemaiden65]

Swap you for writing my crappy book :tantrum:

Tee, hee - carry on as we were then - good luck! :laughing: