Roy Black Issues Statement After New Trial Granted In West Palm Beach DUI Manslaughter Trial Of John Goodman

MIAMI, May 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Centered in the controversy surrounding the DUI manslaughter conviction of John Goodman in a West Palm Beach court, is a juror who let his own self-interest take precedence over his civic duty.

After months of legal battle, Roy Black and his law partner Mark Shapiro, along with Richard Strafer and Josh Dubin, fought the controversial issue of juror misconduct, arguing that their client, John Goodman, was entitled to a new trial because of one juror's deliberate scheme to get on - and stay on - the jury sitting in judgment of this high-profile case. The defense argued the issue in numerous motions... each new motion prompted by new revelations either by the juror's own statements to the press or in self-published books he hoped to sell as a result of his experiences as a juror in the case.

However, after a lengthy hearing and questioning of the juror recently, today Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey Colbath ruled that such actions by the juror denied John Goodman the fair trial that is protected under our judicial system, and ordered a new trial.

Roy Black issued the following statement: "The jury is the foundation of our criminal justice system. It is the equalizer between the citizen and the state. However, as in any institution run by human beings, there will be those who seek to corrupt the process.A juror who deceives to get on a jury in a high profile case for his own profit is a trial lawyer's worst nightmare. Fortunately, this time the deception was exposed and a courageous judge set aside the verdict. But in this new world of social media and self-publishing, expect this to occur more frequently. John Goodman's trial should stand as a warning to all of us."

For copies of all relevant motions regarding the issue, visit www.royblack.com.

FAMOUS FOR ITS HIGH-PROFILE CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND CIVIL LITIGATION WORK, BLACK SREBNICK KORNSPAN & STUMPF, PA, HANDLES SELECT CRIMINAL AND CIVIL MATTERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON BLACK SREBNICK KORNSPAN & STUMPF, PA, SEE WWW.ROYBLACK.COM. THE FIRM'S OFFICE IS AT 201 S. BISCAYNE BLVD., SUITE 1300, MIAMI, FL 33131. TELEPHONE: [phone]; FAX: [phone].

For information contact:
Wanda Gomez or Scott Kornspan
Black, Srebnick, Kornspan & Stumpf, P.A.
[phone]

SOURCE Black, Srebnick Kornspan & Stumpf, P.A.