Tampa Murder Trial Put on Ice After Jurors Say They Were Cornered in Elevator

Yesterday, a Hillsborough County judge abruptly hit pause on a murder trial after jurors reported being intimidated inside a courthouse elevator. The judge told the courtroom that a man and a woman had been identified and could face contempt proceedings while the court sorts out what happened.

Judge Stops Trial Over Elevator Run-in

According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, the trial ground to a halt after jurors told court staff they were approached in an elevator at the downtown Hillsborough County courthouse. The station’s video report says a man and a woman were flagged by officials and warned they could be cited for contempt of court. The segment was produced by FOX 13’s Allie Corey.

Legal Stakes: Tampering and Contempt

Florida law does not take kindly to anyone trying to sway a jury. State statute F.S. 918.12 classifies “tampering with jurors” as a third-degree felony, as outlined by the Florida Senate. On top of that, courts can clamp down on interference through contempt proceedings. The rules for criminal contempt, including direct contempt under Rule 3.830 and indirect contempt under Rule 3.840, are set out in the Florida Rules of Criminal Procedure published by the Florida Courts.

How Courts Respond and What Could Happen

When a judge pauses a trial over suspected juror intimidation, several tools are on the table: holding hearings, dismissing affected jurors, or referring the behavior for criminal prosecution. Courts have recognized that direct criminal contempt can be punished on the spot when the judge personally witnesses the conduct in open court, while indirect contempt typically calls for notice and a formal hearing, as discussed in Williams v. State and in the criminal procedure rules. If prosecutors decide to pursue separate juror tampering charges, the situation could balloon beyond the original murder trial, bringing new filings and additional court dates.

What to Watch Next

As of the initial reports, it was not yet clear whether prosecutors would move ahead with contempt or tampering charges. That uncertainty was highlighted in the coverage from FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Anyone following the case can track new filings and developments through the Hillsborough Clerk of Court’s online HOVER portal at hover.hillsclerk.com.