Facebook Communication Lands Juror In Jail

From the Guardian: A British juror who communicated via Facebook with one of two defendants during deliberations has been sentenced to eight months for contempt.  She faced up to two years in jail. Commentators believe that the case is the first involving a juror communication via the Internet. The solicitor general noted that the trial judge's instructions to the jury concerning the prohibition on contact with other parties including the defendants could not have been clearer. The defendant, who was acquitted of drug charges in the earlier trial, was also found guilty of contempt. The other defendant is appealing his conviction on grounds of jury misconduct. Read a transcript of the communications here.