Spectator gets jail time for speaking to jurors

The other spectators were warned by the judge.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
FRANKLIN, Pa. -- Rosemary Henderson has been an outspoken critic of Lawrence County Treasurer Gary Felasco.
This week she became too outspoken.
Henderson, 59, of New Castle, a frequent visitor to public meetings, was sent to the Venango County Jail until 3:30 p.m. Tuesday by senior visiting Judge Michael J. Wherry for comments she made to jurors in the county treasurer's theft and embezzlement trial.
Henderson was pulled into the judge's chambers before testimony began Tuesday morning and brought into open court, where she was sworn in and questioned by Wherry.
The judge put the 10 other courtroom spectators in the jury box to watch.
Henderson, under questioning by the judge, said she saw two jurors in Felasco's case standing in front of the courthouse Monday afternoon.
What she said
"I said, 'This case is very important to New Castle. I hope you're not sleeping,'" Henderson said.
When the judge asked Henderson why she did it, she said she didn't believe what was said pertained to the evidence.
"I didn't think. I'm terribly sorry," she said. Henderson also apologized to Felasco.
Wherry said Henderson's interference could create a problem with Felasco's receiving a fair trial and sentenced her to the Venango County Jail until 3:30 p.m.
"You can see it's very important this man receive a fair trial. You're welcome as spectators," Wherry said to the spectators who all indicated they traveled from New Castle. "We want the public to see cases. This conduct was just improper. Watch as long as you want; I don't want any contact with the jurors."
Henderson was released at 3:30 p.m. and returned to the courtroom to hear the rest of the testimony for the day.
"I wish I hadn't said it, but I don't feel I said anything that would actually interfere with the trial," she said.
cioffi@vindy.com