Jury Problems Cause Judge To Overturn Guilty Verdict

Posted:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Metro judge overturned a guilty verdict against a former Maury County teacher who was convicted of sex crimes against his students, after accusations of jury bullying surfaced.

Back in August, Jerry Angus was convicted on seven sexual assault charges.

Prosecutors said the sex crimes happened two years ago while the defendant and his students were on a class trip to Opryland Hotel and faced 17 criminal charges.

Jurors deliberated three days before coming up with a verdict in the case. As the verdict was read in Judge Mark Fishburn's courtroom, two jurors disagreed with the ruling.

Court transcripts showed the judge sent the full jury out of court and to another room. Shortly after a court official alerted the judge to an argument among jury members stating "They have shut both doors and are hollering. It's ugly, name-calling, whole nine yards, it's ugly."

At one point the judge asked each juror how they ruled on each charge.

During one count of Attempt to Commit Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure, one juror responded "that's what I voted." Judge Fishburn asked, "Is that your final verdict? Yes or no?" The juror answered "no."

At one point another juror told the judge, "I didn't agree, I didn't - my vote was not guilty, but because nobody felt the same way I did, I had to vote guilty. There was no other way."

Nearly eight months later, Judge Fishburn has vacated all guilty charges against Jerry Angus.

The defense attorney, prosecutor, and Judge Fishburn will be back in court on Thursday for a status conference. Prosecutors could drop the case or decide to go to trial once again.

Jerry Angus is listed on the TBI's sex offender registry. His attorney expects Angus' name will be removed from the registry after Thursday's hearing.