Trial for alleged ‘Lake Boyz’ gang members delayed due to dismissed juror

Opening statements for the case involving four accused gang members were off to a slow start after an incident with a juror Thursday morning.

The trial which was set to begin at 9 a.m. was delayed a few hours after a juror asked to be removed from the jury.

Judge Bruce Kyle told the courtroom that a juror who attempted to go through security with a water bottle. The juror tried to throw the water bottle away but says he was slammed into a glass wall for bringing the bottle, according to Kyle.

Despite pleas from the defense, the juror asked to be excused from the trial.

“He clearly is upset by it,” said Kyle. “He clearly said no amount of time would help him with that issue and I think in all fairness, and to the level of Mr. Polumbo’s statements, it does rise to the level of cause and I’m granting him for cause.”

The juror was dismissed after the defense and state took three days to make their selections. The only alternate will now sit on the jury.

The jury was seated Wednesday for the trial involving James Brown, Kwameaine Brown, Diante Davis and Eric Fletcher, all alleged members of the “Lake Boyz” who were arrested during a racketeering investigation in 2017.

The four men are the first of 23 suspected members to go to trial for their involvement in the Fort Myers gang.

Paramedics escorted an attorney to the hospital for stomach issues. Moments later, the power went out during the trial.

Trial is scheduled to continue at 9 a.m. Friday.

It’s unclear if that attorney and his client will be alright to continue.

MORE: Community ponders safety as jury selection begins for ‘Lake Boyz’ gang members