-Caveat Lector- This is a good decision regarding Jury Rights. The requirement that juries must return a unanimous verdict in criminal cases is probably the last "citizen's defense" against statism. For years, the statists have sought to weaken the jury system and many judges try to interfere with the process in order to get the verdict they want. Regards, Fred Woeckener Symington Conviction Overturned Associated Press Wednesday, June 23, 1999; Page A02 PHOENIX, June 22-A federal appeals court today overturned the bank fraud convictions that drove Gov. Fife Symington from office in 1997, saying a juror who insisted Symington was not guilty was wrongly removed by the judge during deliberations. A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 that there was a "reasonable possibility" that Mary Jane Cotey was removed because she disagreed with other jurors about Symington's guilt, not because she failed to take part in the deliberations. Symington--who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years behind bars but remained free on appeal--is entitled to a new trial. SNIP Six days into jury deliberations, U.S. District Judge Roger Strand dismissed Cotey and replaced her with an alternate. Other jurors said that Cotey, 76, was inattentive and confused, didn't seem to understand some evidence and wouldn't explain her positions. After interviewing Cotey and other jurors, Strand concluded that she was "either unable or unwilling to deliberate with her colleagues," a permissible ground for removal. Cotey said later that she would have voted to acquit and that fellow jurors forced her out because they wanted to convict him. The appeals court said a judge cannot dismiss a juror if there is a reasonable possibility that the reason stems from the juror's views. Instead, the judge must order more deliberations or declare a mistrial. © Copyright 1999 The Associated Press DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
