Hall jurors say they were threatened

GAINESVILLE - A Franklin County man has been charged with trying to intimidate three Hall County jurors who had convicted his brother in a trial in Gainesville.

Barry Stapp of Carnesville was arrested Thursday after following the jurors to their cars and threatening them, according to Major Tony Carter of the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

"He has been charged with stalking regarding three separate jurors," Maj. Carter said, "and he's also been charged with threatening a juror in three separate accounts."

According to the arrest warrants, Stapp allegedly told at least one of the jurors "I'm going to get you," during the confrontation.

Major Carter says the incident happened in a parking deck near the courthouse.

He says the incident was reported to court officials, warrants were taken for Stapp, and he was arrested Thursday night at his home on Falcon Lane in Carnesville.

The jurors - two men and a woman - had served on a jury that convicted Stapp's brother, Randy, also from Carnesville, of aggravated assault.

Major Carter, a longtime employee of the Hall County Sheriff's Department, said such incidents are a rarity in Gainesville.

"This is the first time that I can recall in a number of years that we've ever had antyhing like this to happen."

Carter said there are not plans to increase juror security in Gainesville, but that an escort is always available to any juror who feels he or she needs one.