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California Jury Instruction in Sexually Violent Predator Trial Affirmed

Loaded on Aug. 15, 2008

Filed under: Civil Procedure, Jury Instructions, Civil Commitment. Location: California.

George Whaley, a California state prisoner, was civilly committed under the state Sexually Violent Predator Act (SVPA). At a trial to extend his commitment for two years, the jury was deadlocked. The judge suggested that they role play, with the dissenters presenting the majority's position and vice-versa, to get a …

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