I think they are not allowed access to open source, like internet, news stand, teevee, radio news. I agree not good to give jurors the instructions to take home. If they want to work on it, work on it in a group. If you’re tired, take a break, dinner, sleep, see you tomorrow.
But info access is on the honor system, most likely. If the person asking breaks the rule, I bet somebody rats them out, and “poof,” the Karen is gone.
You have a great point there about leaving an hour early. I agree that is a sign things are fraying.
I am sure they are not supposed to consult the Internet or other sources, but I would bet that at least one of them will anyway.
The judge should not have let them take anything out of the courtroom with them, and they should have been sequestered.