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| Sheley Trial 11am Update: Judge Says Potential Juror Violates Rules |
There's already been a violation of the rules in the Knox County murder case of accused spree killer Nicholas Sheley.
Knox County Circuit Court Judge James Stewart has already done orientation with another set of prospective jurors Tuesday. As part of his admonitions to potential jurors, Stewart told the new panel of about 90 that a prospective juror from Monday's first panel violated court rules by discussing the case with someone else.
Stewart told the panel that the prospective juror violated the rule by making an anonymous phone call.
Among the admonitions made in all jury trials, not just this one, is that jurors are in no way allowed to discuss the case with anyone at any time, for any reason. The only time jurors can talk about the case is during deliberations, and the only talk can be done inside the jury room.
Stewart did not give any details about the prospective juror, and only says that the matter will be dealt with "at some point."
The new set of prospective jurors has been dismissed so they can fill out their own jury questionnaires.
The case is in recess until 1:30pm. Prior to that, Stewart banned two more photos that he said were so "inflammatory" they could unfairly influence a potential jury. He also denied a defense motion to have a "bifurcated" trial -- one to determine guilt or innocence, and another related to whether or not the circumstances were so brutal and heinous, an extended sentence would be warranted.
Around 20-30 prospective jurors from yesterday's panel will be called in for in-person questioning this afternoon. Jury selection is expected to take place the rest of the week.
Sheley faces a dozen charges for the death of 65-year old Ronald Randall as part of a suspected two-state killing spree in late-June 2008.
WGIL'S Will Stevenson is the only Galesburg reporter who has covered the case from the very beginning, and will have frequent updates on WGIL, WGIL.COM, and twitter.com/WGILNews. |
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| 08 30 11 by Newsroom |
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