How it was in the Elizabeth Holmes jury for 18 weeks
“I knew she had started a company,” Stefanek said. ‘I knew it had failed. I knew she liked wearing black turtlenecks. That was about it. “
Holmes’ trial began with opening statements on September 8. A new routine started for Stefanek: She often woke up at 5 a.m. to squeeze in some work and pack lunch for her 12-year-old daughter before driving from Mountain View, California, where she lives, to the San Jose courthouse.
During testimony, Stefanek said, she took 541 pages of notes. Sometimes, she said, jurors struggled to stay awake. At other times, they were shocked to see star witnesses such as James Mattis, the retired four-star Marine Corps general and former Secretary of Defense, who had served on Theranos̵[ads1]7; board.
“When he came in the door, I kind of felt this rustle in the room, and I could not believe it,” Stefanek said. “I was actually more excited for him than I was for Elizabeth Holmes, just because I knew who he was before.”
Over time, the schedule of the trial became increasingly unpredictable. Judge Edward J. Davila of the Northern District of California, who presided over the case, took on additional court hearings and extended days in court, which were originally scheduled to end at 6 p.m. 14.00, to kl. 15.00 and then until kl. 16.00.
It “made it hard for me to commit to things at work” and “made it more challenging to get some things done,” Stefanek said, adding that her boss at Apple was understanding.
After closing arguments in December, the jury began discussing a verdict. They had a method for discussions, Stefanek said, summarizing each witness’ testimony on sheets of paper that were hung around the courtroom on the fifth floor, where they spent time while the trial was not in progress. They also recruited the deputy head of the courtroom, Adriana Kratzmann, to make photocopies of a juror’s handmade worksheet that listed the criteria for a conviction on each count.