Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Astor Jury Rashomon: Juror Denies Claims Of Intimidation
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 2010
Modified Feb 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 2010
Modified Feb 23, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
After it was reported that a juror felt intimidated to convict Astor heir Anthony Marshall, the juror accused of the intimidation has gone to the press: Yvonne Fernandez tells the NY Times that even though she yelled at fellow juror Judith DeMarco, "she and the other woman made up, hugged and cried together in the bathroom."
Fernandez also spoke to the NY Post, explaining, "[DeMarco] said, 'The judge's instructions don't do it for me.'" Fernandez was surprised, since DeMarco is a lawyer and legal analyst at Bloomberg News, "She said it twice. I was so shocked I wrote it down in my pad. 'The judge's instructions don't do it for me.' I shouted, 'How in the world can we deliberate if the judge's instructions don't do it for you?'"
As for DeMarco thinking that Fernandez was flashing gang signs at her, she said, "I did not threaten her! I apologized for yelling at her. I don't even know any gang signs!" (though Fernandez did briefly date the president of the Latin Kings many years ago). Fernandez also considered complaining to the judge about DeMarco because "during deliberations she was nasty."
The possibility that DeMarco was intimidated may be grounds for an appeal. Defense lawyer Benjamin Brafman tells the Times "this issue may have real legs" while Fernandez's lawyer, Ronald Kuby, doubts the verdict will be overturned, "It’s not uncommon for a juror, after convicting, to have second thoughts and to feel disgruntled at the outcome."
Tagged
Anthony Marshall
Astor trial
Judith DeMarco
juror
jury
Yvonne Fernandez
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside Luigi Mangione's legal strategy before his federal guilty plea
Newly unsealed transcripts and court filings reveal how his lawyers weighed a mental health defense — and the risk it could have posed to his federal case.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 12:37 p.m. ET
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
Customers would have to be provided the option of speaking with a human.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
NYC proposes crackdown down on AI customer service chatbots
Customers would have to be provided the option of speaking with a human.
By
Arya Sundaram
Early Addition: There's a new hot duck, this time in Queens
By
James Ramsay
NYPD hate crime unit investigates smashed windows, ‘Pal Action’ graffiti at UES Capital One
By
Ryan Kost
A reliably Republican part of NJ, until ICE came to town
By
Mike Hayes
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .