VERDICT WATCH VA - Joseph Ryan shot, Christine Banfield stabbed, both deceased, in home - Herndon 24 Feb 2023

[ryan8901]

Does longer deliberation tend to indicate the jury is leaning one way or the other?

 

[ttjo]

Does longer deliberation tend to indicate the jury is leaning one way or the other?

The lawyers in here will answer it best, but for now , this was interesting, it shows how long jury’s deliberated in some well known trials. Can you predict a verdict based on length of jury deliberations? [2024]

 

[LifeAsAHouse]

I'm starting to get worried why it's taking so long....

There is so much evidence to go over and all jurors must be on the same page on all counts before they return a verdict. I’m not worried yet.

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

They don't pay for your lunch at any point in the trial. But Virginia does pay $50 a day. Some employers require you to give them the money, some don't. If your employer takes the check, it is not taxable. If you are able to keep the check, it is taxable.

And I just realized I did my taxes already and forgot to claim the check. Crap.

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

Do we know if the counts for murder allowed to find second degree? In the case I was on, if we couldn't find first degree we could find second degree.

 

[Megnut]

CourtTV just replayed a portion of BB's testimony.

He was asked if he had ever communicated with JR.

Up until this moment, he was answering quickly. But here a big pause...

Before answering that the only time he communicated with JR was on February 24 in that room.

No innocent person would say that.

(And if he means his narrative of announcing he was police and JR was found to be arrested was communication, well, no one would call that communication.)

He chose his answer. He decided it was imperative to deny communication besides that day and in that room. 'Who me? I wasn't communicating with Joe, setting him up to be the some other guy who killed my wife.'

So careful to give the 'right' answer, I don't think he realized how chonky his answer was.

The actual answer should have been, "no." But the way he over-answered reveals IMO where his brain went. I'm his head, he canceled out all the communication he and JM had with JR before answering.

Neon sign of deceit.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Jurors must be taking a working lunch?

Verdict clock is still ticking...

 

[Megnut]

I spoke too soon. Clock stopped. LUNCH.

 

[geevee]

I spoke too soon. Clock stopped. LUNCH.

The clock on L&C is running.

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

Clock on Court TV stopped. WUSA9 live stream hasn't said. They don't have a clock.

 

[Lawnguylander1964]

WUSA said they took lunch 15 minutes ago.

 

[Starlight0229]

The clock on L&C is running.

Their clock continued running during their lunch break on Friday as well.

 

[BUF]

Maybe they’ll announce a verdict after lunch?? Happens often…..

 

[Megnut]

CourtTV paused it.

I hope the jury is enjoying a lovely lunch.

So far, they're at just under six hours of deliberations.

I'm holding to my original guess -- verdict within seven hours.

I predict a verdict right after they return from lunch.

JMO

 

[mickey2942]

Interesting, this trial has been three weeks of testimony.

I am wondering what is happening with jury trials now...so many employers don't pay for jury duty. Lots of people just plain can't afford to miss that much work.

 

[BUF]

Per CourtTV lunch break until 1:30

 

[Luna20]

I wish the law was that it has to be two jurors for a hung jury. There is always a good chance that one person will not think the sus is guilty.

 

[Tortoise]

Do we know if the counts for murder allowed to find second degree? In the case I was on, if we couldn't find first degree we could find second degree.

No if they don't find aggravated murder (premeditated murder of both) it's not guilty.

Judge's jury instructions
1.17.16

 

[ryan8901]

Does anyone think acquittal is a realistic option? I think it’s a conviction or at worse a hung jury.