Juries

Prosecution Investigating Sandusky Jurors

Apparently, the prosecutors in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case are leaving nothing to chance and have already investigated potential jurors who may sit on the trial.  This fact was made known when the defense attorney representing Sandusky filed a motion requesting access to the juror information uncovered by the prosecution. 

Unfortunately for the defense team, the trial judge ruled that the prosecution did not have to turn over any information related to the jurors.  According to the trial judge, he does "not believe that the information [about jurors] is constitutionally required to be turned over..."  Jury selection in this case starts tomorrow.

In the Digital Age, juror investigations have become increasingly popular with practitioners in both civil and criminal trials.  However, some are bothered by the practice arguing that it infringes on juror privacy.

For more information about the practice of investigating jurors go here.  For more information about the prosecution investigating the Sandusky jurors go here.

Verdict Stands Even With Dishonest Juror

CBS NEWS: Judge refuses retrial for former Ill. powerbroker

A federal judge denied a retrial on Tuesday for longtime Illinois powerbroker William Cellini, rejecting defense arguments that the 77-year-old didn't get a fair trial because a juror supposedly lied about her criminal past during jury selection

Chicago Sun Times: Jury selection needs reform‎

‎Late Tuesday, U.S. District Judge James Zagel put an end — for now — to the latest flap over whether a juror’s failure to disclose her criminal background had unfairly tainted a high-profile federal conviction.But Zagel’s finding that Illinois Republican powerhouse William Cellini is not entitled to a new trial won’t resolve the underlying problem of how far the courts should go in investigating jurors and how to avoid ending up in the same pickle again.