WA SCT Says Jury Selection by Email Violates Defendant's Rights

Interesting opinion (State v. Irby) out of Washington state that emphasizes the importance of the defendant's presence during jury selection.

KIROTV:  High Court Upholds Reversal of Murder Conviction Based on E-mail

The Washington state Supreme Court has upheld an appeals court ruling that threw out a murder conviction based on an improper e-mail procedure during the trial.

An appeals court had ruled that the defendant, Terrance Irby, was denied his "right to be present at all critical stages of a trial" when a judge sent an e-mail to attorneys on both sides regarding jurors he thought should be removed from the jury pool.The Washington state Supreme Court has upheld an appeals court ruling that threw out a murder conviction based on an improper e-mail procedure during the trial...to continue reading go here.