Mistrial ahead?
Wednesday, Apr 12, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
UPDATE: You can find the WLS transcript here.
Oy.
A Chicago radio station has been hit with a federal subpoena in the latest twist involving jurors in the corruption trial of former Gov. George Ryan.
Defense lawyers and prosecutors spent a half-day in closed-door talks in the judge’s chambers Tuesday, but it was unclear what they discussed. Lawyers would not comment due to a gag order.
But the subpoena and a tape of a conversation that aired on WLS-AM’s “Roe Conn Show” March 28 — a day after two Ryan jurors were dismissed — indicate a juror may have discussed the case outside the jury room. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer has repeatedly reminded jurors not to talk about the case when they are not deliberating.
The subpoena asked for a tape of the conversation, which the radio station has provided, and any records relating to the caller’s identity. WLS-AM producer Todd Ronczkowski said the call-in line does not have Caller ID technology.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 8:12 am:
If what I’m reading is true, then put a fork in this trial, it’s done. Three jurors (25% of the jury) out?
Mistrial.
Louis G. Atsaves
- Randall Sherman - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 8:41 am:
There is no way to know if the caller was legit. For all I know, the caller could have been anyone. All this did was drag out the jury deliberation process a bit longer.
- Fair Trial-NO WAY - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 8:46 am:
MISTRIAL!!! Send George home and quit spending millions of taxpayers money on it. The only way for George to get a fair trial is to move it to North Dakoda.
- Shelbyville - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 9:43 am:
If the jury were sequestered (sorry, I have never spelled that in my life) and worked day after day, instead of a few hours a week, we might get somewhere. But, not like this.
- NW burbs - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 9:49 am:
What radio station doesn’t have caller id?
Is it surprising that Chicago’s flagship right-wing radio station might just save G-Ryan’s butt?
Way to go WLS.
- annoyed all the time - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 10:20 am:
This is my problem with the jury system as a whole. It’s more of a game than anything between lawyers picking the jury. These people on the jury are NOT a jury of GHR’s peers. How can they be in a position to make these decisions for the judge the courts and the people of Illinois. They are obviously liars, at least the ones who were found out. Who knows what other biases they have. It’s a ridiculous process and embarrassing. There is no way to find an appropriate jury, intelligent enough to make these decisions about a man’s life here. Let it go Fitzgerald. Move on. It’s embarassing.
- Randall Sherman - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 11:14 am:
Note to annoyed all the time: If one followed your argument to the letter, then the federal court would have had to empanel a jury consisting of those convicted in court on similar charges in the past.
- frustrated GOP - Wednesday, Apr 12, 06 @ 12:16 pm:
I think Fiz. & Co. has spent more money on this then what George’s friends took. Maybe on the second go around they’ll slim down the count to something manageable and real, not all of this crap they added that they can’t support in court.
My whole problem with a new trial, outside of the expense, old Scott gets to leave Jail again. Maybe he can testify from his cell.