Court deputy accused of telling jury to find man guilty

A Sheriff’s deputy has been accused of urging a jury to find a man on trial guilty — a move that halted the proceedings and forced jurors to be sent home, the man’s attorney says.

Lateef Garnes is facing trial on charges of aggravated battery in the shooting of two men in Lauderhill in 2013.

Garnes’ defense attorney, Richard Rosenbaum, said a sheriff ’s deputy last week reported overhearing Deputy Roberto Aspuru making an improper suggestion to the jury.

“He said, ‘You should find Garnes guilty as charged,’ and a couple jurors laughed,” Rosenbaum said of the deputy reporting it to the judge. A courtroom deputy should “know it’s trial rule No. 1: Don’t make comments to potential jurors that could taint the entire pool.”

Broward Circuit Judge Andrew L. Siegel then dismissed the six-person jury that had been chosen, but not yet sworn in, from among 90 people interviewed. Opening arguments were scheduled to immediately begin.

“There’s really not too much I can say on this one,” said Jeff Bell, the union representative for Aspuru. “Our silence is probably his best defense right now.”

Aspuru is on restricted duty on allegations of “discretion” and “conduct unbecoming an employee,” according to a Broward Sheriff’s Office memo. Aspuru is assigned to the Tamarac district, and was working overtime in the courthouse, authorities said.

Rosenbaum said new jurors will be chosen Feb. 17. Garnes is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon charges and could be sentenced from 25 years to life in prison if found guilty.

Garnes