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Further, this wasn't a case of a stolen chicken: it was an attempted murder trial, demanding a certain amount of seriousness and gravity from all concerned.

In the actual trial proceedings, yes. But in the Voir dire? How did the yawn adversely effect the outcome of the case? From what the judge said, it's clear that it simply offended HIM.

I lean toward mcg1969 on this one. If the guy's yawn constituted an open display of disdain for the proceedings, then he was technically in contempt. Had the man simply apologized--as anyone with a grain of sense knows to do when dealing with a judge in his court, the matter would've ended then and there. But no, the guy then removed all doubt by opening his big, stupid mouth. No one likes jury duty, but that's the hard part of the word 'duty'. Bored? Too bad. One could fault the judge for being too hard on the juror, but the judge acted within his authority. Did he abuse that authority or stretch its bounds? Dunno. Wasn't there. Didn't see the yawner's 'performance'.