Tuesday, April 11, 2006

More George Ryan juror troubles

The reconstituted jury in the trial of former Illinois Governor George Ryan ended its eighth day of deliberations early today. Here's why, according to ABC 7 Chicago:

For the first time in several days, top attorneys from both sides returned to the courthouse and met behind closed doors with Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer. They talked for more than two hours. A gag order prevents them from revealing the topic of their discussions, but ABC 7 has learned their meeting revolved around the alleged actions of a juror.

Two sources tell ABC 7's Paul Meincke there is concern about possible juror misconduct on the part of one of the panel members. It involves a conversation the juror is said to have had with someone "not affiliated with the trial" nearly two weeks ago. The judge has so far not taken any official action against the juror.

With all of this going on in the background, the entire jury continued its deliberations Tuesday in another part of the courthouse, although much to the surprise of court watchers, the jury decided to call it a day nearly two hours early. They went home at 2 p.m. and are expected to begin their ninth day of deliberations Wednesday morning.

Two weeks ago, two jurors were removed from the panel--after deliberations had begun--for not revealing their arrest records in their juror questionnaires.

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