The jury wants a transcript
The jury in the Family Secrets case will be getting a transcript of testimony involving defendant Paul "The Indian" Schiro.
The move comes after the jury sent as note to the judge Thursday afternoon regarding the matter.
The judge, in a hearing Friday morning, didn't specify which testimony the jurors wanted but said he would send it back in its entirety sometime today.
Jurors are considering whether Schiro killed his friend and ocassional business partner Emil Vaci in 1986 in
Phoenix.
Vaci was slain because mobsters in Chicago learned that he had been called before a federal grand jury investigating the disappearance of a casino slot machine skim artist. Those mobsters believed Vaci's testimony could hurt them, the prosecution argued.
The prosecution's evidence against Schiro consisted of the testimony of Nicholas Calabrese, who admitted on the witness stand to shooting Vaci several times in the head after grabbing him and throwing him a van.
Calabrese said Schiro took part in the planning of Vaci's murder.
Several other prosecution witnesses confirmed details of Calabrese's testimony, and speculation centered on the jury wanting the transcript of the testimony of one of those witnesses.
The prosecution's evidence against Schiro was probably the thinnest out of the four defendants accused of the mob murders.
Comments
At least we know they are taking their job seriously.
They are not just back there saying hey we found them guilty on everything else why not just make them guilty on this too.
I have a feeling that they are taking so long because of Schiro and Lombardo.
Those are the 2 that have the least amount of evidence against them.
This could take another week at this rate.
Posted by: anonymous | September 21, 2007 11:46 AM
I rather enjoy the suspense. I can't imagine it's very fun for Zagel, but if he didn't want to wait, he shouldn't have been a judge.
I agree with the above comment that they're probably looking over Schiro/Lombardo evidence.
Will this be a part of what is revealed after the trial is over?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: It may come out if jurors decide to speak to the media after the verdict on the sentencing factors.
Posted by: Mitch Surprenant | September 21, 2007 02:02 PM
I dont understand why this lazy jury that lacked the courage and intelligence here to give these men a fair shake within the bounds of law continues to waste taxpayer time and their own with these B.S. inquiries, and atypical window dressing when i can guarantee you that they re going to find all the accused defendants guilty of murder....which if evidence and reasonable doubt still means anything, IS A TOTAL JOKE.
Cmon Stevie...why even be part of a system here that tries to create an illusion that these men even had a chance, or that their destinies were not pre-determined.
They had as much as a chance as the PADILLA kid from Chicago. No chance at all.
Just window dressing. And everybody knows it. If you really think about it, it aint really that funny, more painstakiningly accurate when a Joe Lombardo writes 'the governmnet could convict a cheeseburger if it wants'
Posted by: Lawrence 'YOGI" Merlino | September 21, 2007 10:50 PM
So, Steve, I just picked up Zagel's book. I'm hoping I can finish it before this trial gets through...
At my current reading speed, they have until some time early next week. It's a race against the jury.
Have you read it yet?
STEVE WARMBIR RESPONDS: I haven't read it, but colleagues who have read it told me they enjoyed it.
Posted by: Mitch Surprenant | September 22, 2007 01:47 AM
What book are we talking about here? Whats the title?
Posted by: anonymous | September 25, 2007 08:01 AM
what a shame convicting the clown, the bottom line was uncle sam wanted these guys in jail,the people of america wake up if you have never done any wrong in your life time.
youre the person i would be afraid of ,because the people of america will trust the devil,the devil doesnt wear red ,hes in a blue suit
Posted by: Anonymous | September 28, 2007 10:40 AM
"what a shame convicting the clown"
Are you a sick puppy! He is a murderer! I wish you could have a family member killed in cold blood so you can see what it is like.
Posted by: Gallery Watcher | November 16, 2007 10:20 AM