A new development has introduced further complexity into an ongoing criminal proceeding against a prominent music industry figure. The court’s attention has shifted to the conduct of the jury itself, following a report of an unsolicited communication to a seated juror.
Last week, a member of the jury panel alerted the presiding judge to a text message received from an unrecognized phone number. The message inquired if the individual was serving as a specific juror in the case—a juror who had just been dismissed earlier in the week. This communication immediately raised judicial concerns about potential external contact and violations of strict court orders prohibiting jurors from discussing the trial.
The dismissed juror, identified in court only by number, was removed after providing inconsistent statements regarding his primary residence. While claiming an address in one borough, he also stated he spent most nights at a partner’s home in a neighboring state. This discrepancy led the court to question his reliability and resulted in his phone being confiscated prior to his dismissal. He was replaced by an alternate juror.
Upon learning of the anonymous text sent to the remaining juror, the judge conducted a thorough inquiry, pressing for details about the message’s content and origin. The juror maintained no knowledge of the sender. While this juror has not been dismissed, the judge has indicated the matter will be revisited, underscoring the court’s zero-tolerance policy for any breach of jury isolation protocols.
The defense team for the accused has formally contested the initial juror’s dismissal, filing an appeal that argues the removal lacked a valid factual basis and has caused significant prejudice to their client. In their motion, they suggested the prosecution’s action appeared strategically motivated to alter the jury’s demographic composition, a claim the court has previously found unsupported. The defense has signaled it may seek a mistrial over the issue.
The accused has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. The trial continues as the court works to ensure the proceedings are conducted with an impartial and uncompromised jury.
