Juror could face criminal charges after murder trial aborted

A juror could face criminal charges and a fine of up to $22,000 after a judge was forced to abort the trial of a man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death.

Ricardo Barbaro has been accused of murdering his girlfriend Ellie Price.

A juror in the murder trial of accused killer Ricardo Barbaro could be criminally charged and face a $22k fine after his personal research forced a Supreme Court jury to be discharged.

The court heard just one day of evidence into the 2020 death of exotic dancer Ellie Price before the jury was dismissed for alleged juror misconduct on Wednesday.

Justice Lex Lasry told the jury he’d be referring one of their 14 members to prosecutors for disobeying his instructions.

“Members of the jury, unfortunately, it’s going to be necessary for me to discharge you as a jury,” His Honour said on Wednesday.

“That’s happening because I’m told that one of your number has made inquiries outside this courtroom and on the internet about this case.”

The court had heard just one day of evidence into the 2020 death of Ms Price. Picture: Facebook

The judge said the juror’s alleged actions were “in direct contradiction” to a warning His Honour gave just two days earlier against conducting personal research.

“I propose to refer the cause of this to the Director of Public Prosecutions,” Justice Lasry said to the jury before they were sent away.

A new jury will now have to be empanelled and Ms Price’s mother Tracey Gangell forced to appear in court again to give evidence.

In Victoria, it is a criminal offence under the Juries Act for a sitting jury member to conduct inquiries about a case while serving in the box.

That’s because juries are required to reach their verdict from the evidence given at trial.

Those who breach this law face fines of $22,190 or 120 penalty units.

Mr Barbaro, 36, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his on-off girlfriend, Ms Price, 26.

The murder trial is expected to run for four weeks.