A photographer and editor from a local Boston news station was banned from the Aaron Hernandez murder trial on Thursday after he admitted to following a bus carrying jurors when they were dismissed Wednesday afternoon.
The photographer, 54-year-old Robert Cusanelli, works for WHDH-TV. He testified in front of Judge E. Susan Garsh that he followed the bus because the station “thought it would be a good idea” to determine where the jurors park their vehicles. Boston.com reports that Cusanelli insisted no one from WHDH specifically instructed him to follow the jurors.
It was evident that there was a problem when a juror was brought in for questioning as soon as court was in session on Thursday morning. Two jurors immediately told Garsh that they had been followed by a local news crew. There was initially some concern that the station’s actions could result in a mistrial, as following jurors is a violation of Massachusetts law.
“This morning, in the Aaron Hernandez trial, the judge questioned 7News as to any impropriety with the jury in the case. 7News did not approach any juror or talk to any juror,” WHDH said in a statement. “We also did not videotape or take pictures of any juror. We are continuing to work with the court and investigate the situation.”
However, both jurors remained on the jury after telling Garsh that they were confident what had happened would not affect their ability to continue with the case.
Garsh initially considered banning the entire station from covering the trial, but chose to just ban Cusanelli after he testified that he was not instructed to follow the jurors. With all the crucial information we have heard during the Hernandez trial, a mistrial would have been horrible.
