IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA STATE OF FLORIDA vs.

MATTHEW BENT, Defendant.

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CASE NO.: JUDGE:

09-020695-CF10B M. ROBINSON

AFFIDAVIT I, KAREN LOUISE BATES-MCCORD, juror number one in the above-styled cause, do hereby swear or affirm to the following: 1. On Tuesday, June 11, 2012, I had the experience of serving as a juror for the trial in the above-referenced case, having been presided over by Judge Michael Robinson. 2. At the conclusion of the trial, we found the Defendant guilty of a lesser offense. 3. This guilty verdict was not my true verdict but instead was a result of coercion by fellow jurors and misunderstanding of the law which likely caused the Defendant not to receive a fair trial. 4. It should be noted that the jury consisted of four Caucasians and two AfricanAmericans; although the race of the jurors should have been irrelevant, it became the feature of our deliberations. 5. I was immediately attacked by fellow jurors when I posted a not guilty verdict. 6. I was called many hurtful names such as a racist. 7. I insisted that the Defendant was not guilty, which caused me to be subjected to further assault, including but not limited to, one juror pointing her fingers at me. 8. I was afraid that it was going to turn into a physical altercation. 9. After three hours of deliberation on the first day and five hours on the second day, I was fed up with the verbal attacks and got up to press the buzzer.

10. My intent was to notify the judge of the abusive tactics of the other jurors and to inform him that I maintained my verdict of not guilty and didnt see the reason why I must remain inside the jury room for further abuse. 11. However, I never received the opportunity because another juror jumped up and said that I could not press the buzzer on my own and that we all had to agree when the buzzer would be pressed. 12. Her assertion reminded me of the judges instructions that said that the verdict must be unanimous and that we had to agree on one verdict. 13. Thereafter, I finally agreed to the guilty verdict of the lesser offense. 14. This verdict was not based on the evidence as presented in trial but instead on the racial biases of those sequestered in that room. 15. In fact, not for one moment did I believe the Defendant was guilty as charged or of any lesser offense. 16. I only agreed to the verdict because I felt that I had no other choice. 17. Additionally, it should be noted that the other jurors had already made up their minds about the case before we even began deliberations. 18. After the first day of testimony, they were discussing the verdict contrary to the judges instructions. 19. As a result of the above, I wrote Judge Robinson a letter on June 25, 2012, where I stated my concerns. 20. Even more, on July 3, 2012, I received a message from the judges chambers instructing me to call his office. 21. When I called the office, I received verbal orders from the judicial assistant; however, I could hear the judge instructing her in the background. 22. During that call, I was told that I was prohibited from speaking with anyone about the

case, including fellow jurors, the media, the prosecutor and the defense attorneys; in fact, an emphasis was placed on the prohibition on speaking with the defense. 23. I felt very intimidated by this call; and although no direct threat was made, it was clearly implied that I may be subject to some sort of sanctions. 24. I was also advised that I was ordered to report to the judges reception area at 8:30am on July 6, 2012 for a hearing and that I must come alone. 25. Based on the above incidents, I retained counsel to represent my interests who also assisted with drafting this affidavit on my behalf. The juror, KAREN BATES-MCCORD, who after being duly sworn, has read the foregoing and acknowledges that all of the above statements are true and correct. _____________________________ KAREN BATES-MCCORD Affiant Sworn to and subscribed before me by KAREN BATES-MCCORD who is personally known, on this 5th day of July, 2012. ______________________________ NOTARY PUBLIC, State of Florida

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing was furnished by hand-delivery in open court, Broward County Courthouse, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, this 6th day of July, 2012. COWARD & COWARD, P.A. _______________________________ ALFREDA D. COWARD, ESQ Florida Bar No.: 0069078 7101 W. Commercial Blvd., Ste 4A Fort Lauderdale, FL 33319 (954) 722-0836 Office (954) 579-9279 Cellular Alfreda@cowardlaw.com