Busted water main latest bizarre setback to plague Elizabeth Holmes trial

Former Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes arrives for court at the Robert F. Peckham Federal Building September 17, 2021 in San Jose, California.
Former Theranos founder and CEO Elizabeth Holmes arrives for court at the Robert F. Peckham Federal Building September 17, 2021 in San Jose, California. Photo credit Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The turbulent trial of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes hit another snag Wednesday due to a broken water main.

The disgraced former tech CEO's high profile criminal trial has been delayed until Tuesday, Nov. 2 after a water main broke about a block outside the San Jose federal courthouse, according to KTVU.

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The judge will add multiple additional Monday dates and extend trial some days until 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. to make up for the lost time, the outlet reported.

The postponement is just the latest in a series of hiccups that have stagnated Holmes' proceedings, which began on Sept. 8. Holmes is charged with a dozen federal crimes over allegations she misled investors, doctors and patients through her fraudulent blood tests she claimed to be revolutionary.

The broken water main delay comes less than a week after a juror was excused because she was playing the puzzle game "Sudoku" while court was in session, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The woman is the third of 12 jurors and five alternates to be dismissed since the trial began, leading to fears that the second half of the proceedings could be in jeopardy. A law professor told CNN that there is a risk of a mistrial if there are fewer than 12 jurors, while another legal analyst told the network that there is "significant risk" that the trial won’t go to a verdict after the three excusals.

The first juror left the trial on the second day because of financial hardship from her work schedule while the second was dismissed earlier this month because she was uncertain she could deliver a guilty verdict due to religious beliefs.

In addition, the trial suffered multiple postponements even before it began because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Holmes' pregnancy.

It was also delayed after each side made their opening statements because one of the jurors was possibly exposed to COVID-19.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images