BOSTON – As deliberations continue in the murder case of Karen Reada former juror from another high-profile trial in Massachusetts told WBZ-TV what the experience was like.
The longer the jury deliberations drag on, the more the crowd of court watchers outside the Norfolk County Superior Court wonders what’s happening in the jury room.
“We’re just hopeful, it’s coming,” Janice Creeden said.
“Let’s hope we get a ruling today,” said Wendy Brisson.
“Very, very emotional”
Those who have served on juries for high-profile cases understand why jurors take their time. “It changed my life and I think about it often,” said Janet Uhler. She was part of the jury for the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger’s Two and a Half Month Trial. They deliberated for five days. “Very, very emotional. A lot of anger, a lot of fighting,” she said. “Just a lot of headbutting at times.”
After the verdict in the first two murder cases of Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, jurors who deliberated for seven days spoke of high emotions. “Were there tears in the jury room?” they were asked.
“Yes, yes,” one juror replied.
Despite those tears, most jurors say they are genuinely trying to put it aside and be fair. “You don’t try to form an opinion until you see the evidence,” said a Hernandez juror.
“We have followed the orders of the court and have presumed that the man sitting in that chair is innocent until the prosecution proves his guilt,” said another juror for Hernandez.
Safety concerns for jurors
There may also be safety concerns. Uhlar said she didn’t expect this to be a part of her life after jury service. “I got letters and phone calls, and I got an envelope that looked like it had powder in it,” she said.
She said she hopes the immense public attention surrounding the Karen Read case won’t make jurors feel rushed. “If it’s going to take weeks, forget about the outside pressure. Take their time and be confident in what they decide.” She said there’s no going back, or at least she hopes not. “I never want to do it again!”
Christina Hager
