Well, all we can do is speculate. But since you added that piece of information, what likely happened during the lunch hour is someone overheard an inappropriate conversation with a juror. The only possible "out of the court proceedings" reason for a mistrial would be improper tampering or contact with a juror. And it then got reported to the Judge. Either the Court reporters, clerks or marshals could have been the reporters. They are all advised to report any such transgressions to the Court. Jurors are specifically told not to talk about the case when they are adjourned for the lunch hour.
Most courts have separate special elevators for the jurors so they are segregated from the public so that the chances of having such a conversation or overhearing something they should not overhear are lessened. I am not familiar with these London courts. I don't know how they are set up.
Last edited:
