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?

[andres]

New Judge . If the jury pass a note to the judge what happens then? Does it get read out to the courtroom?

[New Judge]

Not usually. However the judge may inform the two advocates in open court what has been asked. It is unusual and I'm not sure how or why these particular questions have been made public.

[andres]

Thanks NJ . Just what I was thinking.

[inksplotter]

Are we allowed to stereotype?

Isn't that saying "He's a celebrity, he must be be guilty"?

[Jomlett]

And on the 7 day of the Rolf Harris trial the jury has sent another note:

Jury has drawn attention to the fact the case was due to end today at the latest according to judge's estimate at the start

Judge says letters to their employers have been drafted and they shouldn't fear adverse consequences of not being at work next week!

Judge emphasises the jury is under no pressure of time to reach their verdicts in trial of Rolf Harris

Today was the "most pessimistic" estimate of when trial would end, Mr Justice Sweeney tells court

[New Judge]

I believe the jury has now been out for more than a week. I think it's time Mr Justice Sweeney asked them if there is any realistic proposition of them reaching a verdict on which at least ten of them are agreed. If this has already been done he should ask them the about the prospects of them reaching a verdict at all.

[Jomlett]

You would think so, NJ, but him saying no pressure and all next week covered for deliberation, it seems open-ended.