The Texas court tried something new and held the first jury trial for Zoom in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic – only for prospective jurors who roam outside the screen to receive phone calls.
Incident – which is broadcast live Youtube – Occurred during jury selection for a one-day trial in an insurance case in the Collin County District Court.
The lawyer first questioned 12 jurors in the Zoom video conference room – while Judge Emily Miskel asked 14 other jurors to wait in the escape room, report Law.com.
After the lawyer questioned the first group of prospective judges, Miskel talked to the lawyer privately in a separate room – and returned to find that a candidate had walked off the screen.
He was heard talking on his phone.
The man was called back but there was no response because his computer audio was connected to headphones he was not wearing.
Finally, the man returned, and lawyers from both sides announced that they had chosen their group of 12, which allowed the others to leave.
The jury heard a thick case version and gave a non-binding verdict.
The parties, after seeing how their case could appear before the jury in full trial, will sit down for mediation and try to negotiate a settlement on Tuesday.
