Poker pundit sacked from jury for Tweeting during trial
World Series of Poker expert Norman Chad narrowly escapes jail after flagrant contempt of court
| by Jackhunter |  February, 3rd 2012 |
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Above: Norman Chad tweeted prolifically throughout the trial
A world-famous TV poker pundit has been sacked from a jury - for Tweeting 'live' throughout the case.
Norman Chad, the veteran World Series of Poker analyst, was supposed to be concentrating on a burglary trial.
But he found it more amusing to mock Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Laura Foland Priver instead - nearly resulting in his own conviction for contempt of court.
Ignoring the official warning issued to him and other jurors to communicate during the trial, @normanchad immediately told his 18,000 followers the defendant looked exactly like Phil Hellmuth.
He tweeted: "To allow me to live Tweet during the trial, I am hiding my iPhone in my left sock.
"I can tell you this about the case: It involves a retired midwife, a monkey grinder, an (allegedly) stolen microwave and a lawn sprinkler."
He went on: "Judge has copped a real attitude - every time she speaks she acts like everyone in the jury box has to stop whatever we're doing to listen.
"I'm sitting right behind the court reporter - I get instant replay on all testimony INSTANTANEOUSLY! It's better than seeing the hole cards."
His prolific tweeting didn't stop during the lunch break either.
"I could've sworn I saw the defendent getting into a white bronco with Gloria Allred [the famous US lawyer]," he joshed.
"Ran into judge at Panda Express - due to court rules I couldn't tell her she was making a mistake ordering the orange chicken."
After lunch he even found time for another poker-related gag.
"Memo to WSOP: Jury seats in LA courthouse are far more comfortable than chairs in Rio Amazon Room. I'm going to bring you one to show you."
Sadly for Chad, the judge - who was later informed of his antics by a clerk - didn't see the funny side and at one stage even considered detaining the 53-year-old.
"He made a mockery of our system," she told his attorney.
"I'm disturbed by this behavior.
"Once the information is out there, it's out there forever.
"The public who sees these tweets is going to think this behavior is OK."
After a humiliating apology in front of the court, Chad was eventually let off with a warning, before being thrown out.
