Originally Posted by smooth

You can disagree if you want. Your conclusion is based on a misunderstanding of the process, however.

Juries are not supposed to conduct independent research. That may be where you get the notion that they can not "find out facts for themselves."

Juries, and judges in bench trials, listen to evidence and decide what the facts are. They determine whether something is a fact or not a fact and then deliberate over those facts.

No appeals court can overturn a question of fact, as it has already been decided by a jury (or judge). They can only review procedural error.