TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A Shawnee County District Judge says a Topeka man committed indirect contempt by posting online comments while serving as a juror in a murder trial.
James Reeder was ordered Monday to either pay a $1,000 fine within 30 days or serve three days in jail.
Reeder was a juror in the summer of 2012 in the murder trial of Anceo Stovall. During the trial, he posted a comment on The Topeka Capital-Journal’s website, which disobeyed orders from the judge.
Reeder’s attorney argued during Monday’s hearing that Reeder believed he did no harm by posting the comments.
The Capital-Journal reports indirect contempt is disobeying a judge’s order either outside the courtroom or the judge’s presence. Direct contempt is disobeying the order in the judge’s presence.
