Five-Figure Cost for Brazos County Jury Sequestration

The costs have been being tabulated for last weekend’s motel stay by a Brazos County District Court jury and their supervision by sheriff’s officers.

Sheriff Chris Kirk says it was the first time since he was elected in 1997 a jury was held for three nights.

Bills have been turned in totaling over $10,000 dollars.  The Sheriff says lodging costs were $5,058, staffing was $4,573, and providing lunch and dinner was $829. Continental breakfast was provided by the motel.

Two deputies supervised one floor of a local motel.  The Sheriff says jurors had limited contact with the outside world.

Sheriff Chris Kirk.

A member of the panel tells WTAW they were told without warning and without an explanation they were being sequestered. The juror says family members brought clothes and personal items to the courthouse then they were bussed to the motel.

Assistant District Attorney Kara Comte says if they would have been asked, they would have supported a request by defense lawyers allowing deliberations to continue.

Assistant District Attorney Kara Comte.

The staff of District Judge J.D. Langley says he would comment about the sequestration order after the appeals process in the case ran its course.

Click HERE for more comments from Sheriff Chris Kirk, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver.

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