JUROR MAKES COMMENTS, JUDGE DISMISSES CASE

(Lawrenceburg, Indiana) This story caught my eye because the reason that Superior Court Judge G. Michael Witte threw out the case seems weak. It concerned a former Lawrenceburg Police Chief and three police officers who faced criminal charges of falsifying employment records, destroying evidence and intimidating local business owners.

Former Chief John Agner, former Assistant Chief John E. Johnson Jr., former officer Scott McAdams and officer Morgan B. Hedrick were indicted based upon allegations made by five fellow police officers. But, not to worry, the Judge Witte dismissed the case because:

. . . an alternate juror made comments at the wrong time during the grand jury proceedings.

That's it, the complete explanation.

Frankly, I'm no whiz when it comes to legal proceedings but I normally understand what's going on. This has me flummoxed. What on earth does the timing of comments have to do with the case. If anyone knows, I await enlightenment.