Belated Objections By Jehovah's Witness Juror Cause Mistrial

As reported by the Washington Post, belated religious objections by a juror caused a Prince Georges County, Maryland trial court last Thursday to declare a mistrial in the manslaughter trial of Kevon Neal.  Neal, who was being pursued for driving a stolen car, was charged with causing the death of a police officer who lost control of his police cruiser in the chase. After 3 days of testimony, alternate jurors were released and the jury began deliberations.  At 1:00 a.m. of the day deliberations were to resume, a juror sent the judge a not saying that because of her beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness, she could not "sit in judgment of another human being."  The juror has been charged with contempt of court and a hearing on that charge will be held Feb. 24. [Thanks to Steven Jamar via Religionlaw for the lead.]