Judge Emmet Sullivan paused proceedings Friday morning after the juror learned the previous night that her father had died and she needed to depart to attend his funeral. He had hoped to bring the juror back to continue deliberating with the other 11, but couldn't reach her Friday or over the weekend to determine whether she would still be available.
Instead of the trial being delayed any further, an alternate will take the missing juror's place and jurors will continue deliberating this morning. The juror who's in California will be dismissed.
"We have four alternates for this reason," Judge Sullivan said in court Sunday evening, in a rare weekend hearing. The four alternate jurors have sat through the entire trial.
This is very good news.
Last night we were discussing this very scenario and whether or not it would delay the deliberation or not. I am very glad that this trial is back on schedule.
Having this verdict delivered before the election will undoubtedly help Mark Begich, the Democrat who is running for Uncle Ted's Senate seat.
I have a feeling that Ted Stevens is not quite so anxious to have the trial over before November 4th.
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Because the defense asked for remaining 11 jurors I take it that alternate #1 is perceived by the defense to be unfavorable or worse than juror #11 ("violent") who is still there. Judge seems too eager to lose juror #4 (funeral escapee), should have sent an observer or escort for a lot of reasons.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about Alaskan politicians? Palin is given a $150,000 wardrobe, which she wears, but doesn't own it. Stevens was given furniture, but he doesn't own it, yet it still sits in his home. Stuff is given to them, but they don't own it? Steven and Palin must attend the same seminars on electoral ethics, or is this just an Alaska thing?
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