Tainted Verdict: Sarah Palin Jury Knew During Deliberations That Judge Was Going To Throw Out A Liability Verdict
It s ridiculous to say the jury was not influenced, how could they not be? Why did the judge instruct them not to listen to or watch news coverage of the case unless news coverage in itself would be a taint? Why didn t the jury immediately call this violation of the court s instruction to the court s attention? Why did it come out only after the verdict when asked by the Clerk if there were any problems? That the jury concealed the information during deliberations in itself is improper.
This leaves Palin deprived of her most meaningful appeal to reinstate a jury verdict in her favor if the appeals court reversed Rakoff s dismissal of a verdict. Instead, Palin has a murky appeal on substance because she has a negative jury verdict, so the most the appeals court could do is order a new trial, not reinstate a favorable verdict.
This is a terrible situation, an injustice was perpetrated. Sarah Palin deserves a new trial now, start next week. She should not have to appeal.
A new trial, and a different judge.