Why can't Lindsay Clancy jurors be photographed as woman faces charges
Lindsay Clancy jurors are already under pressure to reach a unanimous decision after days of deadlock
Lindsay Clancy's trial is already putting many on edge, and the latest incident of a woman who filmed allegedly the case's jurors turned into a big deal.
But why?
It is simple: in any criminal trial, jurors are key to the decision. Hence, the protection.
Keeping their identities under wraps helped them to avoid pressure, harassment, and influence.
In the Clancy trial, Judge William Sullivan issued similar orders.
But then a woman named Dawson Light who was arrested in the Plymouth District Court's parking lot.
Police were alerted to the presence and dashed to the area, finding the woman in her car.
In her defense, the 56-year-old claimed she only wanted a picture of Clancy, and that is why she has been waiting here.
Pressed by the officers about filming the jurors, Light straightforwardly denied it.
Unconvinced, the authorities scoured her phone and found nothing.
But a closer look at Light's cellphone's deleted items led officers to discover several videos and photos of people exiting the courthouse.
This becomes significant because a deadlock currently persists among jurors in Clancy's case over reaching a unanimous decision on guilt.
Her lawyers, however, defended her, calling the situation a "misunderstanding".
However, the prosecution argued to the contrary.
Light, meanwhile, is charged with intimidation of a juror, witness, police officer or court official.
She did not plead guilty and was released after the judge rejected the prosecution's $50,000 bail request.
Yet, she is due in court for a pretrial hearing in October 15.
In addition, she is also facing strict conditions from the court to stay away from the Clancy jurors and not share the photos she took, among others.
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