I served as a juror and foreperson in the 2007 case Kohan v NBC. David Kohan, the co-creator of the hit TV show, "Will and Grace," and the rest of the plaintiffs sued NBC Studios and NBC for breach of contract and fraud for matters related to the "Will and Grace." After a three-and-a-half month trial, the jurors came to a verdict worth approximately $49,000,000 and a unanimous finding of fraud (worth potential punitive damages). I submitted this verdict on behalf of the jury.
The following day, NBC's attorneys, claiming they had just learned I was the foreperson, said they Googled me and found excerpts on his website archives that they used to make a motion for his dismissal and for a mistrial They stated that I had not revealed a bias against NBC at voir dire.
Judge Warren Ettinger called me into his chambers with the attorneys present. After a lengthy conversation, Ettinger removed me, the parties settled and then Ettinger dismissed the case. The official transcript shows the day's conversations in court, including the discussion between the judge and me.
The following day, NBC's attorneys, claiming they had just learned I was the foreperson, said they Googled me and found excerpts on his website archives that they used to make a motion for his dismissal and for a mistrial They stated that I had not revealed a bias against NBC at voir dire.
Judge Warren Ettinger called me into his chambers with the attorneys present. After a lengthy conversation, Ettinger removed me, the parties settled and then Ettinger dismissed the case. The official transcript shows the day's conversations in court, including the discussion between the judge and me.