1.16 Publicity During Trial

            If there is any news media account or commentary about the case or anything to do with it, you must ignore it. You must not read, watch or listen to any news media account or commentary about the case or anything to do with it. The case must be decided by you solely and exclusively on the evidence that will be received in the case and on my instructions as to the law that applies. If any juror is exposed to any outside information, please notify me immediately.  

Comment

            This instruction may be useful in cases involving significant media coverage and may be given more than once at appropriate times during the trial. See United States v. Waters, 627 F.3d 345, 364 (9th Cir.2010) (reversing criminal conviction due to court’s insufficient questioning of jury regarding negative publicity during jury deliberations); see also Jury Instructions Committee of the Ninth Circuit, A Manual on Jury Trial Procedures,§ 2.2 (2013).