BOSTON

Jury in ‘Top Chef' Case Says One Juror Assuming Guilt

The Local 25 union members are accused of using strong-arm tactics in an attempt to extort jobs as drivers with union-scale wages.

The jury in the trial of four Teamsters accused of threatening and harassing the cast and nonunion crew of the TV reality show "Top Chef" has told the judge there is one juror who is "assuming guilt over innocence."

The note came on the third day of deliberations.

In his note back to the jury, U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock said presumption of innocence "is a cardinal principle of our system of justice."

The Local 25 union members are accused of using strong-arm tactics in an attempt to extort jobs as drivers with union-scale wages. The show's host, Padma Lakshmi, testified that she was "terrified" when a Teamster confronted her outside a Boston-area restaurant where the series filmed in 2014.

Lawyers for the men say they were merely demonstrating against the nonunion crew.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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