Juries
Juror’s Revelation that She Was 911 Caller Stuns Ohio Courtroom, Forces Mistrial
A mistrial was declared on Tuesday after an Ohio juror hearing a domestic violence case stunned the courtroom with her revelation that she was the anonymous 911 caller who reported the crime.
Najah Johnson-Riddle stopped the trial during opening statements, telling the courtroom she couldn’t sit on the jury because she was the neighbor who called the police after hearing a ruckus and seeing the defendant beating the victim, Cincinnati.com reports.
Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Nelson recounted Johnson-Riddle’s disclosure. “She said, ‘It woke me up out of my bed and I saw him beating on her. I thought she must be dead,’ ” Nelson told the newspaper.
The new trial begins today, and Johnson-Riddle will be called as a witness.
Hat tip to Pat’s Papers.
Write a letter to the editor, share a story tip or update, or report an error.
