This is the question before federal judge Myron Thompson who is presiding over the prosecution of Milton McGregor in Montgomery, Alabama. McGregor, whose trial starts June 6th, is charged with using campaign contributions and other means to try to buy votes for a gambling bill.
According to the prosecutors handling the case, members of the defense team are attempting to taint potential jurors through a telephonic poll,which asks local residents, among other things, if they knew that:
McGregor was 71
attended church regularly,
has a reputation as a fair man
gives heavily to charities
and has never ben arrested.
Attorneys representing McGregor argue that the poll, which was conducted by a national firm, was not created to influence potential jurors. Furthermore, they state that polling local residents is a common occurrence, especially in prominent trials like McGregor's.
The prosecution has filed a motion asking the court to dismiss any potential juror who has been polled. The defense's response is available here. Judge Thompson is expected to rule on the prosecution's motion soon. For more information on this issue and the case see the following news stories:
Dothan Eagle: Prosecutors claim McGregor trying to influence jury pool with polls
Al.com: Milton McGregor trying to sway potential jurors with poll ... -
The Republic: Judge refuses to dismiss any of the charges before start of trial ...
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