The Brief
- Two people attending a Hillsborough County murder trial could face potential contempt of court charges after allegedly intimidating jurors in a courthouse elevator.
- Judge Lyann Goudie paused Terry Stephens’ trial Wednesday to question the jury after they reported feeling uncomfortable about comments made Tuesday.
- The judge denied a defense motion for a mistrial, and the two individuals must return to court on June 23 to face potential charges.
TAMPA, Fla. – A man and woman could face contempt of court charges after a Hillsborough County judge paused a murder trial Wednesday to address allegations of juror intimidation in a courthouse elevator.
Elevator incident pauses trial
What we know:
During the murder and robbery trial for Terry Stephens, a juror reported an encounter with two gallery members, identified as De’Ray Roberts and Shannon Smith.
The juror told Judge Lyann Goudie that the individuals made comments Tuesday in a courthouse elevator about “remembering faces, and they are going to be the ones to decide.”
Roberts and Smith had been sitting behind Stephens during Tuesday’s proceedings. …