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Blankenship jury urged to be ‘vigilant,’ ‘respectful’

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Jurors in the Don Blankenship criminal case deliberated for another day Monday, after being instructed to be “vigilant” about contact with the public and to be “respectful” of each other as they continue their work.

The eight women and four men returned to the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse after taking five days off for the Thanksgiving holiday. They reported to the courthouse at about 9 a.m., took a break for lunch at noon, and then went home for the evening shortly before 5 p.m.

Before jurors began their deliberations on Monday, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger called them into the courtroom and gave them additional instructions.

The judge cautioned jurors that they needed to be “vigilant” about discussing the case outside of their private deliberations room. Berger told them that they must “walk away” if necessary to avoid members of the public who try to talk with them or talk about the case in their presence.

Berger also gave the jurors an additional instruction that they should “be respectful” of each other and “treat each other with courtesy…

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