“ Now, can I make it clear that it is not necessary that jurors are completely ignorant as to the identity of the person they are about to try. If that were so, the famous could never be tried. However, when a case involving a particular defendant who has been in the public eye comes before the court, what is necessary and of fundamental importance is that jurors be and remain fair and impartial when they hear the case. That means that they must put out of their minds whatever they may have seen or heard about the case and concentrate only on the evidence they hear in the courtroom. They must not be prejudiced about a case because that would be to prejudge it.

Our system of law is careful to ensure that cases are decided on evidence only and, by that, I mean evidence produced in a courtroom. Things that are reported or gossiped about outside a courtroom are often second, third or fourth-hand hearsay and may well be inaccurate.

…..

In a courtroom, on the other hand, we hear directly from witnesses about events and the accuracy of what they say can be tested.  So you will, I am sure, understand why I stress that is only the evidence you hear in this courtroom which will determine whether the defendant in this case is guilty or not guilty of the charges alleged against him. Whatever you may have seen or heard is irrelevant to the decision you must ultimately make if you are chosen to be a juror and which you must make on the evidence you hear in this courtroom alone.” [Italics added.]