Former Shelby deputy indicted
Allegedly told jurors to acquit youth minister
A former Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputy, who allegedly told two jurors in March to acquit a youth minister charged with rape, has been indicted on jury-tampering charges.
Charles Govan was assigned to Homeland Security and was working on the first-floor of the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar when he allegedly made remarks to two women jurors during a lunch break.
Govan, 56, who was relieved of duty after the incident, was f i red May 20. He had been a deputy since April of 1997.
Criminal Court Judge Paula Skahan declared a mistrial in the case against Carl Miller Jr., saying she was outraged by what the two jurors reported to the court.
“Basically (the deputy) was telling them to go upstairs and acquit Mr. Miller,” the judge said before dismissing the jury.
“He said ‘ You know what to do when you get upstairs. It’s a circumstantial case. Get this (expletive) over with.’”
It was not clear whether Govan had a personal interest in the case, or whether he simply wanted the case finished so he could go home.
Improper influence of a juror is an A misdemean- or punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail.
One juror said she could ignore Govan’s comments and judge the case on the facts, but the other juror said the deputy’s remarks made her nervous and that she had concerns about getting to her car safely after the trial.
Miller, 40, is charged with rape, aggravated sexual battery and sexual battery by an authority figure. The offenses allegedly were committed against a teenage girl over a fiveyear period.
The judge scheduled a new trial for November and said the jury in that trial will be sequestered.