Texas court holds jury trial in traffic crime case over Zoom
Aug 30, 2020
The jurors appeared on screen from their living rooms, bedrooms and home offices. Juror 11 took notes as a sheriff’s deputy testified about giving a speeding ticket. Juror 18 occasionally looked away as a white cat scampered across her couch.
They gathered on a video conference call Tuesday in what Texas court officials said is a national first — a virtual jury trial in a criminal case.
“You’re here today for jury duty in a different way,” Judge Nicholas Chu said at the start of the trial. “That’s jury duty by Zoom.”