Retired judge LaDoris Hazard Cordell discussed the ongoing trial proceedings, focusing on the jury's request to rehear lengthy instructions provided by Judge Mershawn. In California, it is discretionary for judges to give paper copies of instructions to jurors, a practice Judge Cordell found beneficial during her time presiding over trials. She emphasized the importance of providing written copies to jurors for clarity and ease of reference.
Judge Cordell highlighted the significance of jury instructions, particularly the reasonable doubt instruction, which can be complex and crucial for jurors to comprehend. She expressed concern over the lack of modernization in court practices, advocating for digitized transcripts to facilitate jury deliberations.
Regarding jurors setting aside personal biases, Judge Cordell acknowledged that all individuals possess biases but noted that jurors typically strive to adhere to instructions and reach a fair verdict based on evidence presented.
She explained that jurors requesting testimony to be read back indicates potential disagreements or misunderstandings among them, emphasizing the need for clarity through transcripts. Judge Cordell cautioned against predicting the duration of jury deliberations, citing past cases with extremely short and lengthy deliberation periods.
She recounted a notable case where jurors deliberated for four and a half months, resulting in a substantial verdict but incurring significant costs. Despite not being directly involved in the current trial, Judge Cordell opined that the prosecution likely proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt based on the evidence presented.
