State Rep. David Thomas, a Republican who represents portions of Trumbull County, introduced a bipartisan bill to penalize those who intimidate jurors in court cases.

Thomas, R-Jefferson, introduced the bill with state Rep. Eric Synenberg, D-Beachwood. It is awaiting a committee assignment in the Ohio House.

The bill came as a result of a juror in a February gang-related criminal trial in Ashtabula County, where Thomas resides, receiving a Facebook message from an associate of a defendant stating, “You better vote the right way to end this as not guilty,” Thomas said.

There is a state law making it a crime to bribe jurors.

But there isn’t one that clearly defines intimidation or tampering with a juror in a criminal case, Thomas said.

The bill adds jurors to the list that includes criminal penalties for those who intimidate or tamper with attorneys, victims and witnesses.

“It is just common sense that we should not allow jurors to be intimidated or influenced in Ohio,” Thomas said.

Working with Ashtabula County Common Pleas Court judges, Thomas and Synenberg’s legislation would create the offense of jury tampering, prohibiting attempts to influence, intimidate or hinder a juror. The bill is mirrored after a similar one in place in Pennsylvania.

Those found to intimidate jurors for what would be considered “general attempts,” would face a first-degree misdemeanor. A more serious attempt, involving force or threats, would be a third-degree felony.