The Law Office of Patrick T. Donovan

Massachusetts Criminal Attorney

617.479.1800 24/7
  • Home
  • Profile
  • Criminal Defense
    • Restraining Orders
      • Restraining Orders FAQs
    • Harassment Orders
    • Domestic Violence
      • Domestic Violence Case Wins
      • Assault and Battery on Family or Household Member
      • Restraining Order Violation
      • Assault on Family Member
      • Witness Intimidation
      • Strangulation Suffocation
      • Stalking
      • Threats to Commit a Crime
      • Mass Law About Hitting Your Kids
    • Drunk Driving
      • OUI DUI WINS
      • First Offense
      • How Much Does an OUI Cost?
      • CHILD ENDANGERMENT WHILE OUI
    • Motor Vehicle
      • Motor Vehicle Crime Case Wins
      • LEAVING THE SCENE OF PERSONAL INJURY
      • LEAVING THE SCENE OF PROPERTY DAMAGE
      • OPERATING AFTER LICENSE SUSPENDED
      • NEGLIGENT OPERATION
      • Reckless Operation
      • Uninsured Motor Vehicle
      • MASSACHUSETTS UNLICENSED OPERATION
      • Attaching Wrong Plates Massachusetts
      • Massachusetts Road Racing
      • Failure to Obey Police Officer
      • Use of Motor Vehicle Without Authority
      • IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE
    • Encore Boston Harbor Criminal Attorney
    • Theft Crimes
      • Theft Crimes Wins
      • LARCENY UNDER $1200
      • Larceny Over $1200
      • LARCENY BY CHECK
      • Identity Fraud
      • Larceny By Embezzlement
      • Credit Card Fraud
      • Receiving Stolen Property
    • Drug Crimes
    • Sex Crimes
      • Statutory Rape
      • OPEN AND GROSS LEWDNESS AND LASCIVIOUS BEHAVIOR
      • Annoying and Accosting Persons
      • Indecent Assault and Battery
      • Indecent Exposure
      • Enticing a Child Under 16
    • College Students
      • Fake ID
      • Fake ID Case Wins
      • Disorderly Conduct
      • MINOR IN POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL MASSACHUSETTS
      • Disturbing the Peace
    • Criminal Harassment
    • Violent Crime
      • Assault and Battery Wins
      • Threats
      • Aggravated Assault and Battery
      • Mayhem
      • Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon
      • Assault and Battery
        • Shoplifting
          • Shoplifting Case Wins
      • Assault
      • Resisting Arrest
    • Clerk’s Hearings
    • Weapons Crimes
    • Warrants
    • Speeding Tickets
      • Massachusetts Surchargeable Infractions
      • Massachusetts Speeding Ticket Recent Victories
      • How to Appeal a Massachusetts Speeding Ticket
      • Massachusetts RMV and Board of Appeals
      • Massachusetts Speeding Tickets FAQ
      • Massachusetts Drivers Suspensions
  • Case Wins
  • Client Reviews
  • Contact Us

Juror Sent to Jail

February 18, 2014 by Patrick Donovan

Dennis DeMartin a juror on the infamous South Florida polo DUI manslaughter case has been convicted of contempt of court. The charges against the man were brought after a string of problems that halted a 16 year conviction for DUI manslaughter against John Goodman.

Judge Jeffrey Colbath does not believe that Dennis DeMartin was simply unaware of the issues he was causing in the courtroom through his hi-jinx. Colbath states, “If I found Mr. DeMartin a benign Mr. Magoo who was unaware of the destruction he left in his wake, then I would find differently. I don’t think that’s the case.”

Judge Colbath references a drinking experiment that DeMartin had conducted towards the end of the case as well as failing to mention his ex-wives DUI. Colbath considered these cases of misconduct. DeMartin was taken into custody immediately by Sheriff’s deputies and then transported to jail. His hearing will be at 7:45 on Tuesday and he could face up to six total months in jail, which is heavy for the 70 year old former accountant.

The primary witness against DeMartin was JoEllen Johnston. Johnston is DeMartin’s ex-wife and part of the DUI arrest that DeMartin did not mention while being a juror in the 2012 Goodman trial. News of this DUI did not come out by anyone but DeMartin himself. The former juror wrote three books since serving on the jury and his own revelation led him to be brought back into court on charges of contempt. JoEllen claims that she has little to do with the man outside of keeping in contact for the sake of their two children.

The DUI is just the start of the alcohol related issues for DeMartin. He conducted a drinking experiment the night prior to serving as a juror. Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson said that DeMartin admitted to drinking three different alcoholic drinks to try and get in the frame of mind of Goodman as he testified. Johnson claims to have told DeMartin to, “Stick to the evidence.”

Colbath insisted that the lawyers figure out a plea deal, but one was never reached. In response Colbath continued with his criminal contempt charges, which cited DeMartins lie to get on the jury, and has pushed for the 6 month sentence.

Jurors are never allowed to conduct experiments or try to solve the case. The role of a juror is to judge the evidence placed before them in court. Jurors should face harsh penalties for any independent investigations. Even driving by the scene of the crime is forbidden.

Patrick Donovan is a criminal attorney in Massachusetts. A former Assistant District Attorney Patrick Donovan strives to be the best criminal lawyer in Massachusetts.

Categories: Legal News

Just Arrested?

Everything you need to know if you were arrested in Massachusetts.

Arrest Information

Court Process

Everything you need to know about the Massachusetts Court Process

Court Process Explained

Criminal Record

See how a criminal case impacts your criminal record.

Info about Criminal Records

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • Drunk Driving
  • Domestic Violence
  • Motor Vehicle
  • Drug Crimes
  • Sex Crimes
  • College Students
  • Disturbing the Peace
  • Criminal Harassment
  • Theft Crimes
  • Violent Crimes
  • Disorderly Conduct
  • Warrants
  • Record Sealing
  • Probation
  • Weapons Crimes
  • Magistrate Hearing
  • Personal Injury
  • Speeding Tickets

Menu

  • Criminal Defense
  • Drunk Driving
  • Domestic Violence
  • Motor Vehicle Crimes
  • Drug Crimes
  • Sex Crimes
  • Theft
  • Contact Us
  • Make a Payment

Office Location

Law Office of Patrick Donovan
Law Office of Patrick Donovan logo
234 Copeland Street Suite 230
Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: (617) 479-1800
Fax: (617) 622-1531

Court Information

Everything you need to know about criminal courts in Massachusetts.

Court Info

Copyright © 2023