While a slavery trial tends to make headlines on its own, the recent dismissal of two jurors over a knife and a forbidden conversation has added another layer of interest.
The jurors had been empanelled in the trial of Rungnapha Kanbut, who faced six charges including intentionally possessing a slave and exercising powers of ownership over a slave.
She was accused of keeping two Thai women as slaves after they came to Australia to live with her 20 years ago.
A week after the trial began, a juror was caught trying to bring a knife into the courthouse in Sydney.
The juror claimed he had the fold-up knife "to cut up fruit".
But Acting Judge James Bennett found three potential criminal offences could arise including possession of a knife in a public place.
The NSW District Court judge determined the consequences of the man's decision would significantly distract him from his function as a juror and ordered that he be discharged due to misconduct.
NSW Police confirmed they had investigated the incident but had not laid any charges against the man.
A second juror was discharged the next week after he approached the judge's associate when she was socialising with friends on a night out.
The man tried - "with some persistence" - to engage her in conversation.
The associate cut him off and left the venue.
Judge Bennett said the interaction was a "clear breach" of his direction that jurors not contact anyone involved in the case and it showed the juror did not understand his role.
After both incidents, the jury foreperson assured the judge there would be no adverse impact on the jury if the men were discharged.
The Crown and defence did not argue to the contrary.
The remaining 10 jurors found Kanbut guilty of the offences.
She is on bail and will be sentenced on June 13.
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