From a John Grisham novel? Ryan trial to continue for now, judge does not rule out mistrial

Just a few minutes ago, Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer ruled that the corruption trial of former Ill. Governor George Ryan will continue. Two alternates will replace the two jurors who were dismissed for lying about their run-ins with the law in their juror questionnaires.

Deliberations were halted after a week when the Chicago Tribune alerted the chief federal judge in Chicago about the two jurors and their questionable backgrounds.

But there still could be a mistrial, as CBS 2 Chicago reports:

U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer refused a defense motion for a mistrial but said she would entertain such a motion if she later came to believe the deliberations were not continuing fairly with the two new jurors.

Conspiracy theorists are enjoying the bizarre turn of events the Ryan trial has taken.

Among that ilk is the belief that the feds tipped of the Tribune on the shady backgrounds of the two jurors, because the deliberations were not going the prosecution's way.

The dismissed jurors are under a gag order issued by the Judge Pallmeyer. This hasn't stopped Marvin Brown, the adult son of dismissed jury member Evelyn Ezell from commenting to an ABC 7 Chicago reporter, "My mom feels sorry for George Ryan because now no one is on his side."

Suspicions are also being cast on the motivation of Winston & Strawn, the clout heavy law firm run by one of Ryan's predecessors in the governor's mansion, Jim Thompson.

That firm is defending Ryan--for free. Estimates are that the firm has spent $10 million dollars defending former Governor Ryan, who was Thompson's lieutenant governor until 1991.

Does loyalty alone explain Winston & Strawn's reasoning to agree to "comp" George Ryan's legal bills?

Other Chicago lawyers are openly hoping for a mistrial, stating the behemoth law firm "deserves" having to take Ryan as a client for free in a second trial.

Amazing as it is, the one-term Republican from Kankakee is being pushed to the background of the case as the unusual turn of events in the juror deliberations have ignited the imagination of those following the case.

As for his co-defendant, lobbyist Larry Warner, he's been for the most part been ignored in media reports about the trial.

Ryan and Warner are on trial on various corruption, racketeering, and mail fraud charges, including contract rigging and sweetheart deals.

Does this like it comes from a John Grisham novel? Yes, but the trial isn't over yet, and we're headed into uncharted territory.