HAMILTON — Jurors' deliberations can sometimes be overheard outside a jury room that abuts two courtrooms in the Butler County Government Services Center, county commissioners have been told.

        A juror in a recent criminal trial complained about the situation to the county commissioners in a March 9 letter and in an appearance Monday at their meeting.

        Lora Lohr said the jury she served on two weeks ago was informed that it was disturbing the proceedings in Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney's courtroom next door. She said knowing that people outside the jury room could hear loud voices didn't affect the jury's verdict, but did make her feel uncomfortable.

        “I held back (in jury deliberations),” said Ms. Lohr, of Morgan Township. “I didn't feel I could say exactly what I felt because I was concerned somebody outside the door might hear.”

        Because of her admission, defense attorney Scott Blauvelt said he will appeal his client's conviction of assaulting a police officer and on three other charges.

        “Any time you have jurors who feel inhibited from voicing their opinions, there's a concern about whether one of the parties is receiving a fair trial,” he said.

        County Administrator Derek Conklin said the county will try to make the jury room more sound-proof by replacing the two doors with heavier ones and installing insulation in the walls. The cost is expected to be $15,000 to $20,000.

        “We will get the issue resolved quickly,” Mr. Conklin said.

        Judges Oney and Keith Spaeth share the jury room, which abuts both courtrooms.

        Both judges acknowledged that when jurors talk loudly or laugh, they can be heard in their courtrooms.

        “When Judge Oney has a jury deliberating and I'm in session, sometimes it disturbs the court and vice versa,” he said. “Jury deliberations are a sacred matter and are entitled to the utmost secrecy.”

        Judge Oney said she and other judges have been complaining periodically about the problem since the Government Services Center opened three years ago.

        But county officials did nothing but promise to study the problem, she said.

        “The jurors are the cornerstone of our justice system,” Judge Oney said. “They ought to be able to get into a screaming contest without someone coming in and telling them to shush.”

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