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The acquittal of Thomas Garner ought to trigger a change in the law so that juries are informed of a defendant’s pertinent and major prior convictions during trial (“Man acquitted in 1982 cold-case murder,” Star-Advertiser, July 12).
Perhaps a statement can be prepared by counsel and the judge and read twice to juries, along with a statement from the bar association or Judiciary about this crucial subject.
In this day of social media and jurors going home during a long deliberation, it’s unrealistic to expect that a juror would not get wind of major pertinent matters that would affect a juror’s vote.
Are jurors currently allowed to have their smartphones with them during a trial?
Alan Matsuda
Kalama Valley
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