An event meant to celebrate jurors in Houston led to a mistrial. After a speaker applauded jury service for serving justice, a defense attorney claimed the speech 'tainted the jury pool.'
HOUSTON (AP) An effort by Houston area officials to thank residents for taking part in the jury selection process has ended with a mistrial in a murder case. Last week, the office of Harris County District Clerk Marilyn Burgess held its annual Jury Appreciation Week, an event with guest speakers and door prizes that was created to “honor jurors and tell them how important their participation is in the American justice system."