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DEL.ICIO.USFBI appears at court with paper; proceedings halted
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The judge in the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell abruptly interrupted proceedings today after FBI agents walked into the courtroom with what appeared to be a letter.
The agents took the piece of paper directly to U.S. District Judge Richard Story, who called attorneys for the prosecution and the defense to the bench. During the conversation, one defense attorney, Jerry Froelich, was overheard saying, “This is a serious matter.”
The jury had just left the courtroom around 10:20 a.m. to begin deliberations when the agents appeared. It could not be determined whether the piece of paper involved one of the 12 jurors.
The letter appeared to be typewritten, several paragraphs in length. It was signed at the bottom.
After the discussions at the bench, the judge halted court and he and attorneys for both sides left the courtroom. The FBI agents remained in the courtroom with other observers, including the news media.
Court began today at 9:15 a.m. with Story instructing the jury on the seven-count indictment against Campbell covering racketeering, bribery and tax evasion charges.
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