Copyrighted Image? DMCA | He almost didn't get to hear the verdict, and his supporters' applause for the jury as they left the courtroom. During his closings, Forchion was nearly held in contempt of court for trying to advance his jury nullification argument.
Delehey quickly stopped him, reminding him of his earlier ruling that barred the argument. Forchion began verbally sparring with Delehey, who then ordered the jury out of the room and told the defendant he would be held in contempt if he continued to ignore the court's orders. "If you want to make a martyr of yourself, the court will deal with you," the judge said. "You've done everything you can to disrupt this trial." Jury nullification would allow the jurors to disregard the law they were ordered to follow in considering the case and acquit a defendant, no matter what the evidence, in effect nullifying or invalidating the law. |