Blame social media: Three jurors dismissed from Aurora theater shooting trial

Brett T. | 5:30 PM on June 09, 2015

Believe it or not, despite the horrific slaughter happening in the summer of 2012, the trial of alleged Aurora, Colo. theater shooting suspect James Holmes is only in its 28th day, and the specter of a mistrial was already in the air as a fourth juror told the judge that three other jurors had been reading social media and discussing the case.

all three should be dismissed IMHO why chance any appeal with so many alternates in #Theatershooting?

— Jeffrey Evan Gold (@jeffgoldesq) June 9, 2015

Your wish is granted. Judge Carlos Samour Jr. dismissed three jurors from the trial today, although there are 12 alternates on standby.

This leaves 21 on the #theatershooting panel. 16 women, five men.

— Larry Ryckman ☀️ (@larryryckman) June 9, 2015

One of the jurors had read and discussed with other jurors a since-deleted tweet posted by District Attorney George Brauchler while court was in session.

@GeorgeBrauchler tweet sent yesterday DURING court, "I agree on the video. I hope the jury thinks so too." #theatershooting

— Cathy Russon (@cathyrusson) June 5, 2015

Juror 673 is referencing a Twitter posting by @GeorgeBrauchler. #theatershooting

— Larry Ryckman ☀️ (@larryryckman) June 9, 2015

This is the tweet that prompted the judge to scold @GeorgeBrauchler last week. DA called it an embarrassing mistake at the time.

— Larry Ryckman ☀️ (@larryryckman) June 9, 2015

Text of @GeorgeBrauchler text sent from #theatershooting courtroom last week: "I agree on the video. I hope the jury thinks so too."

— Larry Ryckman ☀️ (@larryryckman) June 9, 2015

Another juror had reportedly discussed the case over the phone with her husband, according to the Denver Post. He had read on Facebook that “that idiot’s tweeting,” referring to Brauchler. Asked by the judge why she didn’t bring the conversation to his attention, the juror reportedly explained, “I just really don’t pay that much attention to my husband.”