‘Holy Spirit’ Comment From Juror Wins Former Lawmaker New Trial

Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.) is entitled to a new trial on fraud and tax charges, because the trial judge abused his discretion in removing a juror who said he received divine guidance on the case, the Eleventh Circuit said Thursday.

Brown was prosecuted on fraud and tax charges stemming from her involvement with a charity that purported to provide scholarships to poor students. Brown and her co-conspirators allegedly used her government position to collect more than $800,000, but spent almost all of it on themselves.

During deliberation in Brown’s federal trial, a juror stated the Holy Spirit told ...