You do realize that thousands, no, make that well over a million pages of documents were produced via discovery and introduced into evidence (exhibits 1-491). While this evidence is presented to the jury and argued by trial counsel, the jury DOES have the right, and a duty, to request access to whatever documents they feel are necessary in order to make an informed decision. In fact, during deliberations, juries will frequently send requests to the trial judge seeking a review of testimony or exhibits introduced at trial. Didn't you ever watch Perry Mason?
Seriously, if one of the parties were to summarize what was in some of the key documents, wouldn't you want to read that document for yourself in order to confirm what is says and what it doesn't say? Wouldn't you note inconsistencies with the evidence (physical and testimony) and, as a jury, ask the court to release these documents for deliberation? Of course you would. Likewise, should a witness provide testimony that conflicts with prior written statements or their deposition, a jury should want to rationalize these inconsistencies by reviewing depositions, documents and testimony. I would!
While the court certainly doesn't need the jury to review all the evidence (and they shouldn't if trial counsel is doing their jobs), they should certainly be permitted to read key documents (like the contracts) and the evidence they feel is relevant in adjudicating the case. Sometimes trial counsel makes it easy for a jury by framing their case, but others do not and, sometimes, a jury picks-up on things during trial that counsel ignores.
Anyway, the court collects evidence so a jury can review it, if necessary, during the trial. All they have to do is let the clerk know what evidence they wish to review, and the judge will usually honor their request. So a jury DOES NOT "only get to see what is presented in court not the many years and thousands of pages..."
