Blagojevich lawyers accuse forewoman of misconduct
Attorneys for Rod Blagojevich claim the Naperville jury forewoman who helped convict the ex-governor engaged in misconduct for showing copies of her juror questionnaire to students at Metea Valley High School in Aurora.
In an emergency motion filed Friday, Blagojevich's defense team called for an evidentiary hearing to determine if court rules were broken by Connie Wilson, who addressed about 300 government students on Tuesday. And if so, “her violations must result in a new trial,” attorneys wrote.
The motion cites a Dec. 13 Daily Herald article and Dec. 16 Naperville Patch report of Wilson's appearance at Metea in which she showed copies of her jury summons and questionnaire.
Defense lawyers say they were told that information would remain confidential.
“Ms. Wilson, if indeed she does have a copy of her questionnaire, has violated a rule of this court and engaged in potential jury misconduct,” attorneys wrote.
The defense team said it would appear before Judge James Zagel in U.S. District Court Monday morning to ask for an emergency evidentiary hearing so Wilson “can be questioned under oath about her possession of the questionnaire and how she obtained it.”
Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison last week after being convicted on a series of corruption charges.
Wilson could not be reached Friday night.