Yep, it was a totally stupid thing to do, but I really can't see how the jury could have come to any other verdict other than the one they came to - I can' see that anything she said would have made any difference to the outcome. That said Chauvin is certainly going to appeal and if he gets off because of what she did it will be devastating for Floyd's family and for justice in America. IMO.
During the trial of George Zimmerman, the jury were sequestered for the full trial, precisely because of the high profile nature of the case
(Hispanic man shot dead unarmed black teen), I read that they were put up in luxury hotels but without T.V, papers or radio. They apparently had access to gyms & pools & even a day out at a museum to reduce the impact of the isolation.
This case, being the most high profile police killing of all time,
should have been treated in the same way imo.
It may well
not have influenced the jury decision had they been sequestered in this way, but I certainly don't think the judge should have left anything to chance.