ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) - A juror in a trial in which a man was convicted of rape in northeast South Dakota says she texted a relative during the proceedings.
The Aberdeen American News (https://bit.ly/1mYEDJn ) reports that juror Cindi Walsh admits to her actions in a letter sent to the presiding judge in the case of 42-year-old Frederick Slota.
Judge Tony Portra questioned Walsh during the last day of the trial in March after he became aware that Walsh had sent an email to a group of friends. The email mentioned that she was unimpressed with some of the lawyering.
Walsh in the letter states that since the trial she has remembered sending the text message.
Slota is in custody awaiting sentencing. His attorney is asking for a retrial based on the email and text.
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Information from: Aberdeen American News, https://www.aberdeennews.com
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