The jury takes a week off
The jury in the Family Secrets case has taken a week off.
In an unusual case that keeps on getting more and more unusual, the jury left Thursday without reaching a decision in the second phase of its deliberations.
And then decided to come back Thursday of next week.
Court officials weren't providing any explanation, other than a one-sentence press release.
One theory centered on the jury, having bonded with U.S. District Judge James Zagel, wanting to wait until the judge returns next week from vacation.
But any federal judge can take the verdict.
Jurors have already found five defendants in the case guilty of racketeering.
Now, they have to decide which of four defendants are responsible for 18 mob murders listed in the indictment.
It's an important decision because it will affect the potential penalties those four men face.
So the jury's delay will likely drive the defendants up a wall.
It also clearly adds to the stress of the families of the murder victims, who want a final answer on the slayings of their loved ones.
And it will likely give defense attorneys in the case ammunition to ask for a mistrial.
Stay tuned.
Comments
Steve,
I felt I need to give you a heads up about possible plagisim going on at a site named RealDealForum.com.
The poster goes under the handle of mafiso.
I noticed all of the articles written by you are posted there, so that many do not need to come your site to read the daily postings.
This is grossly unfair to you as a writer and to all of the readers of your column. I hope that you are able to put a stop this type of behavior which is so commonly found on the interenet these days.
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: Thanks for the heads up.
Posted by: guest | September 14, 2007 10:00 AM
Oh lord. The legal system is just plain fun. My favorite part is that they're on break till Thursday, and there's no telling if they're just going to get that Friday off, then they've got the weekend.
I understand it was a long trial, and the jurors are probably exhausted with it all, and just want to get back to their lives, but are they unable to work just because Zagel is on vacation?
Steve, could you infer that there might be a Pauley Shore among the jury trying to pull a "Jury Duty"? Though... they're not sequestered, are they? There goes that theory.
Thanks again for the updates, Steve. My last plans for coming up to Chicago just fell through because the band I wanted to see canceled their US tour. Guess I'll have to keep reading.
This blog was a great idea. Was it your idea to blog about the goings-on in addition to the articles?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: My editors and I came up with the idea for the blog together. The response has been gratifying.
Posted by: Mitch Surprenant | September 15, 2007 03:50 AM
I gave up on trying to figure out what people are thinking during this trial. My friends and I have had so many different assumptions and none of them have been right.
Mistrial? Highly doubt it.
It should be interesting, whatever it is.
Steve you have done a excellent job throughout this entire trial.
Thanks again!!!
Posted by: Bobby | September 18, 2007 12:45 PM