THREAD:

1/ When I was in graduate school I researched/studied the impact of media coverage on high profile trials & cases. I cannot recall any substantial material in the existing literature that indicated pre-trial media coverage influenced a jury *in favor of the defendant*

2/ There is, however, support to show that pre-trial coverage can influence juries but typically in favor of the prosecution. My own research findings indicated that there is a link between pre-trial coverage and assumptions of guilt (not innocence).

3/ A case that I am covering right now, @CraigMurrayOrg's case in Scotland, alleges that pre-trial media coverage influenced a jury in favor of the defendant -- something that is not strongly supported, if at all supported, in the academic literature.

4/ Murray's defense team argues they believe this is the first modern prosecution in Scotland or England that claims a publication influenced a jury in favor of the defendant & that for the past 150 years, previous prosecutions were for prejudice against the defendant

5/ The is just one aspect of the case that makes it particularly unusual. And yes, I know that a Twitter thread is not the best place to convey such complex ideas but to learn more on the case, check out this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhxITUni9OWcBsKIZWxyzutt9tYrt7meD