Elizabeth Holmes's trial was delayed after the juror potentially exposed to Covid

September 13, 2021: -The fraud trial of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes came to a grinding halt when a juror revealed to the court that he had been potentially exposed to Covid and was waiting for test results.

In an emergency Zoom hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila told attorneys for Holmes and the government that he had got an email from juror #9 on Thursday, which indicated that he might have been exposed over the holiday weekend did not experience symptoms.

“It’s a little, I don’t want to say ominous, but it’s concerned that before we finish the first witness, we have issues,” Davila said.

The government pushed back, expressing concern regarding delaying the trial given the number of witnesses they plan to call. U.S. Assistant Attorney, Jeff Schenk, told the judge that the juror was vaccinated, not displaying symptoms currently, and it was not clear if he had experienced any contact with Covid-19.

“I think at the stage we’re in, it would be secured to proceed with trial tomorrow, but I understand that the court would determine, especially in the starting to be safer, to be extra careful,” Schenk said.

He added that, “I think we have a little bit of concern about just the total number of witnesses that we want to call in the next several months in this trial. But I cannot tell the court that tomorrow is what makes the difference. That’s not the challenge.”

On Wednesday, the highly anticipated trial started with opening statements. Preventative measures were on display in the packed San Jose courtroom with plexiglass panels in front of the judge, the jury box, and where attorneys speak. The courtroom has also installed numerous air purifiers and filtration systems.

Holmes has also faced a dozen counts of wire fraud and conspiracy. She has pled not guilty.