Trial Halted Because Jurors Found Playing Sudoku

A judge in Australia has halted a drug conspiracy trial after some jurors were found playing the puzzle game Sudoku while evidence was being presented.

Judge Peter Zahra ended the trial Tuesday for two men facing possible life sentences on drug conspiracy charges.

The judge was tipped off after jurors were seen writing vertically, rather than horizontally. Until then the judge had simply assumed they were taking notes while evidence was being given.

The jury foreman admitted to the judge that he and several other jurors were playing puzzle games for up to half the time the trial had been going on.

"Yes, it helps me keep my mind busy," the jury foreman told the judge. "Some of the evidence is rather drawn out and I find it difficult to maintain my attention the whole time, and playing Sudoku doesn't distract me too much from proceedings."

The trial had been running for 66 days and cost taxpayers nearly $1 million. Now, a new trial must begin within a few weeks.

 � Copyright 2004-2015 The News Vault. All rights reserved.