Oklahoma Prosecutor Suspended for Watching Jury Deliberations on Video Feed

In a shocking breach of trust, an Oklahoma prosecutor has been suspended for six months after admitting to secretly observing jury deliberations in a murder trial via a live video feed. The egregious misconduct was uncovered when a deputy reported concerns about the unethical behavior.

Prosecutor Spent Over 2 Hours Spying on Jurors

Former assistant district attorney Isaac Seth Brantley Shields spent more than two hours watching the jury deliberate through a video feed in a security room, zooming the cameras in and out to get a closer look. He was joined by another prosecutor working on the case, and they discussed their observations with each other and security personnel.

The deliberations were being conducted in an adjacent courtroom to allow more space for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. While there was no audio, the high-quality video feed allowed the prosecutors to see the jurors’ facial expressions and hand gestures.

Shields Misrepresented His Actions

When initially questioned by his supervisors, Shields claimed he only observed the jury for around 30 minutes and that the video was grainy. However, the Oklahoma Supreme Court found that he had actually watched for over two hours and failed to disclose his actions to the court or opposing counsel, even when dealing with jury questions.

“This is egregious behavior,” the court stated in their decision. “Shields violated the inner sanctum of a jury, which is a high breach of trust and a serious interference with the administration of justice.”

Murder Conviction Overturned, Mistrial Declared

The defendant in the case, Robert Kent Kraft, had been convicted of first-degree murder. However, his conviction was overturned and a mistrial declared due to the prosecutors’ misconduct in observing the jury.

Kraft had claimed he acted in self-defense when he fatally stabbed another man. The case is now on appeal.

Shields Accepts Responsibility, Resigns from DA’s Office

As part of a deferred prosecution agreement, Shields acknowledged violating the law prohibiting recording or observing jurors, though he maintains he did not intend to break the law. He agreed to resign from the district attorney’s office and self-reported his actions to the Oklahoma Bar Association.

The state supreme court cited Shields’ military service, acceptance of responsibility, and cooperation with the subsequent investigation as mitigating factors in their decision to suspend rather than disbar him. Shields has also entered into an agreement with a lawyers’ assistance program.

Incident Raises Questions About Jury Monitoring

This troubling incident has sparked concerns about the monitoring of juries, especially with the increased use of remote technology in courtrooms during the pandemic. It underscores the need for strict protocols to protect the sanctity of jury deliberations and prevent any improper observation that could taint the outcome of a trial.

As the legal system grapples with adapting to new technologies, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the highest ethical standards and respecting the fundamental right to a fair trial by an impartial jury.

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