Jury tampering delays Omaha double-homicide trial
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha double-homicide trial has stalled after the judge said the defendant and two other men attempted to contact a juror.
A 19-year-old jury member in the trial of Marcus Short, 28, asked other jurors Monday if they received a strange Facebook friend request with a photo of the defendant.
Short, Adrian Ixta, and Davaughn Perkins are accused of jury tampering, said Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine. Ixta is Short's current cellmate and Perkins is a friend.
Judge Horacio Wheelock declared a mistrial Tuesday. A police investigation into the jury tampering allegations is ongoing.
"This is really an attack on the criminal justice system," Kleine said. "It deters from our ability to seek justice from both sides.