Robert Cusanelli, a photographer for Channel 7 News in Boston, was banned from working the Aaron Hernandez murder trial after acknowledging he followed two jurors Wednesday night.
"Two jurors have reported that yesterday, at the end of the day, that particular WHDH-TV van was at the parking lot, was looking at jurors, was driving after cars," Presiding Superior Court Judge Susan Garsh said. "One of the jurors, in fact, did a U-turn, got behind it and took a picture of the license plate."
Garsh said Cusanelli could have caused a mistrial, emphasizing that following jurors is forbidden until a verdict has been reached.
Questioned in court by a lawyer, Cusanelli said he didn't think his actions were wrong, adding that the decision was all his own. Cusanelli said he didn't take pictures, talk to them, or write down the license plate numbers. "I see now that it was a mistake," Cusanelli said.
Because of Cusanelli, Garsh issued a written order stating "no person shall approach, follow, contact, harass, photograph, take down the license plate number of, attempt to influence, interfere with, communicate with, or tamper with a deliberating juror or alternate juror in this case."
Jurors have deliberated for nearly 16 hours since closing arguments were heard Tuesday morning. As of Thursday afternoon, they had sent six notes requesting a list of exhibits and asking for clarification on weapon and ammunition possession charges Hernandez faces.
The jury will end the day early at 1 p.m. on Friday due to scheduling conflicts if they have not reached a verdict.
Hernandez's murder trial has been marred with numerous unusual events. The former New England Patriots tight end has maintained his swagger throughout court proceeding, gesturing at friends and family members with winks, nods, and smiles. At one point, Hernandez was caught smiling as his lawyer attempted to downplay major evidence.
His fiancée, Shayanna Jenkins, was granted immunity not only from previous charges that she lied to the grand jury but from anything said in Hernandez's trial. Prosecutors hoped for incriminating testimony. Jenkins offered none, claiming she didn't know about a murder weapon and never looked in a box said to have contained it.
Lawyers' attempts at humor have fallen flat. Defense attorney James Sultan made a joke about the "deflategate" scandal in the NFL, asking a witness "Have you ever received training in football deflation devices?"
Hernandez is accused of murdering Odin Lloyd in June 2013. Lloyd was shot six times and found in an industrial park less than a mile from Hernandez's home.
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