Jury instructions

📄 Jury instructions — Friday, November 1, 1996

Address:

C:\DEPT103\CIVIL\1996\NOV\1\JURY-INSTRUCTIONS.DOC

TRIAL

▲ Day 7 of 57

◀ Redirect examination of Philip Vannatter Witness recall discussion ▶

Date: Friday, November 1, 1996 • Utterances: 8

Judge Fujisaki excused the jury until Monday morning, delivering standard admonitions about not discussing the case and reminding jurors they are considered fully engaged in the trial even on non-court days. He also issued a notable instruction protecting jurors from workplace pressure, telling them not to let employers or others give them a hard time about their jury service.

# 1 THE COURT:

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we're going excuse you until Monday, 8:30.

And let me remind you, again, don't talk about the case with anyone and form or express any opinion.

Don't allow anybody to talk to you about this case.

I have prepared an order for you with regard to your work. Consider yourself fully engaged in the trial. Any days that we don't actually physically have you in court for one reason or another, you are still considered engaged in this trial, so you do not return to work on those days. Everybody understand that?

# 2 (Nod in the affirmative.)

# 3 THE COURT:

Okay. It's very important, don't let anybody give you a hard time about this case. don't let them ask questions about it; don't let them insinuate anything about it.

Don't -- in other words, don't let them pressure you about anything about this case.

Everybody understand that?

# 4 JURORS:

Yes.

# 5 THE COURT:

Anything like that happens, let me know.

# 6 (Nod in the affirmative.)

# 7 THE COURT:

We'll see you Monday. Have a nice weekend.

# 8 JURORS:

Thank you.

Temperature

routine

Key Quotes (2)

Hiroshi Fujisaki

Consider yourself fully engaged in the trial. Any days that we don't actually physically have you in court for one reason or another, you are still considered engaged in this trial, so you do not return to work on those days.

Formal order protecting jurors from employer retaliation or pressure during the lengthy civil trial.

Hiroshi Fujisaki

Don't let anybody give you a hard time about this case. don't let them ask questions about it; don't let them insinuate anything about it. Don't -- in other words, don't let them pressure you about anything about this case.

Unusually direct instruction suggesting Fujisaki anticipated jurors might face social or workplace pressure given the high-profile nature of the case.

Light Moments (1)

Jurors

Jurors respond 'Thank you' after being wished a nice weekend

Witness Demeanor

(Nod in the affirmative.)

Objections

None recorded

Proceeding 8114 • 8 utterances

Civil Trial

Department 103