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Newspaper-buying juror could face jail

MANASSAS, Va., April 22 (UPI) -- A juror who allegedly lied about buying a newspaper prior to a Virginia murder trial deliberation could face perjury charges and a bill for trial costs.

A judge threw out the conviction of Gerardo N. Lara Sr., who had been found guilty of killing his wife. Authorities said they plan to retry the case.

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Before jurors began deliberations, Prince William County (Va.) Circuit Court Judge Rossie D. Alston asked if they had refrained from media coverage of the trial. All said they had but a defense attorney thought he'd seen one juror at a convenience store buying two newspapers, The Washington Port reported Friday.

The jury returned a guilty verdict and the defense attorney decided to further check on the juror and the newspaper. He got a receipt and a surveillance tape of the woman with the newspapers.

Alston found juror Lindy L. Heaster in contempt of court, for which she could be sentenced to 10 days in jail and fined $250 and authorities said they may file perjury charges. She could also be stuck with trial costs -- including defense expenses which totaled about $25,000, the Post said.

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