Tag Archives: Don Thomson

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Oregon juror jailed for texting during trial

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A judge in Oregon noticed an unexpected glow on a juror’s chest while the courtroom lights were dimmed during video evidence in an armed-robbery trial.

The juror, it seemed, was texting.

Marion County Circuit Judge Dennis Graves cleared the courtroom and excused all jurors except 26-year-old Benjamin Kohler.

According to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Kohler had no explanation for his actions.

Jurors in Oregon are given explicit instructions at the outset of each trial not to use cellphones in court.

Graves held Kohler in contempt, and Kohler spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday in the county jail. He was released Wednesday night.

Neither the nature of the text message nor its recipient was disclosed.

Kohler did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.

An alternate juror took his place. Sheriff’s spokesman Don Thomson said the trial ended Thursday with the defendant found guilty.

From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/VAhsebF1p-k/

News, Politics, Government

Oregon juror jailed for texting during armed-robbery trial

Leave a comment

A judge in Oregon noticed an unexpected glow on a juror’s chest while the courtroom lights were dimmed during video evidence in an armed-robbery trial.

The juror, it seemed, was texting.

Marion County Circuit Judge Dennis Graves cleared the courtroom and excused all jurors except 26-year-old Benjamin Kohler.

According to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Kohler had no explanation for his actions.

Jurors in Oregon are given explicit instructions at the outset of each trial not to use cellphones in court.

Graves held Kohler in contempt, and Kohler spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday in the county jail. He was released Wednesday night.

Neither the nature of the text message nor its recipient was disclosed.

Kohler did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment Thursday.

An alternate juror took his place. Sheriff’s spokesman Don Thomson said the trial ended Thursday with the defendant found guilty.

From: http://feeds.foxnews.com/~r/foxnews/national/~3/pUCC3cGGkow/

News, Politics, Government

Oregon man accused of putting grandmother's dog in oven

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Deputies say a 20-year-old Oregon man was preparing to heat his enchilada lunch in a 350-degree oven, but when his grandmother’s dog nipped him, the animal went in instead.

Kevin Dean Parrish of Lyons, southeast of Salem, was arraigned Tuesday on a charge of first-degree aggravated animal abuse, Marion County sheriff’s spokesman Don Thomson said.

Parrish’s bail was increased to $100,000, from $10,000. His next court appearance is scheduled Jan. 30.

The dog, a Chihuahua-miniature pincher mix named Kudo, was cut and bruised, his hair was singed and three of his legs were burned, Thomson said.

The 6-year-old dog had difficulty standing but was expected to pull through.

Parrish had been caring for the 9-pound animal while his grandmother was out of state.

According to a police report, Parrish told deputies he was about to put lunch into the oven on Friday when he stopped to check on the dog. When he reached into a kennel, he said the dog bit him on the hand.

Thomson said Parrish, who told investigators he had “anger issues,” punched the dog in the head several times and tried to strangle it.

Remembering that the oven was hot, Parrish put the dog in, Thomson said.

Parrish said he pulled Kudo out after several minutes when he heard his brother coming into the house, the report stated.

Parrish’s brother and father took the animal to a veterinarian.

“As far as I know, he should make a full recovery,” said Dr. Keri Sanders, who treated Kudo.

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Fox US News