Juror almost caused mistrial in Gable Tostee case after posting about it on Instagram

A JUROR almost caused a mistrial in the murder case of Gable Tostee after posting about it on Instagram.

• Gable Tostee not guilty of murder

A JUROR almost caused a mistrial in the murder case of Gable Tostee after posting about it on Instagram.

Mr Tostee, 30, was today found not guilty of murdering his New Zealand Tinder date Warriena Wright, who fell from his 14th floor balcony in the early hours of August 8, 2014.

The jury reached its verdict early today after deliberating for more than 13 hours but the result was delayed after several Instagram posts by a woman on the panel were discovered.

Not guilty: Gable Tostee leaves Brisbane Supreme Court with his lawyer Nick Dore. PIC: Claudia Baxter

The posts to her more than 2000 followers over several days specifically identified her as a juror on Mr Tostee’s murder trial and her thoughts about being part of the case.

“I snagged a nasty one, so it’s a bit full on,” she said in one post.

“I took it home with me yesterday and woke quite miserable this morning. Will make sure I leave it behind this afternoon,” she said in another.

The juror, who cannot be identified, did not discuss the evidence in the trial or the jury’s deliberations.

Defence barrister Saul Holt QC argued for a mistrial but Justice John Byrne dismissed the application.

However, he did scold the woman anonymously after the jury delivered its verdict.

“This is a particularly disappointing feature of the events of the day but only one is responsible for it,” Justice Byrne said.

“That juror will discover when she accesses her Instagram account that many members of the public have commented on her decision to communicate with others during the course of the trial.”