Home > Blog > Archives > 2006 > March > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJudge: “All is well” with Campbell jury
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. District Court Judge Richard Story said “all is well” after he interrupted the federal corruption trial of former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell briefly today when FBI agents arrived with what appeared to be a mysterious letter.
“We had a potential juror issue,” Story said at about 11:20 a.m. “It has been determined all is well. We’re fine with the jury at this point.”
The judge would not elaborate.
Agents arrived at about 10:20 a.m., just after the judge had instructed the 12-member jury on their impending deliberations. Just after the jury left the courtroom, federal agents walked in with what appeared to be a letter and went straight to the bench.
Story 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 letter appeared to be type written, several paragraphs in length. It was signed at the bottom.
Campbell, with his wife, Sharon, were in the courtroom when the agents arrived, and he left the courtroom briefly with his attorneys.
Court began today with Story instructing the jury on the seven-count indictment against Campbell covering racketeering, bribery and tax evasion charges.
After spending about an hour discussing the piece of paper, the judge reappeared. He said jurors had taken a lunch break.
The judge said he will leave it up to jurors, who have not been sequestered, to decide how long they will deliberate during the day, or whether deliberations will go into the weekend.
Permalink | | Categories: Bill Campbell trial
