Judge Under Fire after Dismissing Juror for Saying "The Holy Spirit" Told Him Defendant Not Guilty: May Keep Former Congresswoman Out of Prison

News Service of Florida : Jan 4, 2018
Tampa Bay Times

[Tampa Bay Times] "Neither the government (prosecutors) nor the district court (judge) cited a single case which has found that a juror's personal prayer life before or during deliberations could be the basis of a finding of good cause to dismiss a juror. The district court itself acknowledged that it was certainly permissible for the juror to pray to seek guidance or inspiration to try to come to a proper decision—and that is exactly what this juror had done. The juror did nothing improper and the juror's internal mental belief that the Holy Spirit had offered him guidance in understanding the evidence and truthfulness of the witnesses—witnesses, all of whom, by the way, had taken an oath 'so help me God' to tell the truth—was not in any way a disqualifying mental process much less a disqualifying external influence..." Click here to read. (Photo: Former Jacksonville congresswoman Corrine Brown/via Tampa Bay Times)