WBAL.com

The judge told them to keep silent, but the so called “Facebook Five” continue to post Facebook messages about serving on the jury of Mayor Sheila Dixon’s theft trial.

[...]

In their argument for a new trial, the Dixon defense team argued the five jurors Facebook posts during deliberations denied Dixon a fair trial

Judge Dennis Sweeney has ordered the five jurors to appear at a hearing Wednesday, when he will hear arguments on a new trial.

Late last month, Sweeney sent a letter to the five jurors asking them not to talk to anyone, including reporters about their jury service, until after this week’s hearing.

However, a WBAL Radio News investigation found at least three jurors talking to each other Facebook.

In a post on New Year’s Eve, Juror Number 12, James Chaney told two other jurors, “if you see me on the news remember you dont me. If you holla when you speak remember you dont know me.

He also says, “F*** the judges,” and he uses the “N word” to describe people following the case.

Chaney was responding to posts from Juror Number 6, Shiron Davis, who told Chaney, “Keep it movin’ ….Bottom line …..U dont know me!! Happy New Years, Chaney.”

Juror Number 8, Cherese Barrett responds to Chaney, “GM (good morning) Mr. Stranger! Lol! How did u become 1 of my FB n I don’t know u?! ”

It is not clear if the jurors were responding in part to Judge Sweeney’s letter and efforts to reach the jurors were unsuccessful.

Neither defense lawyers Arnold Weiner nor Barry Gogel returned emails from WBAL News seeking comment on these emails.