Jury still out in sentencing phase of mob trial

The jury in the federal "Family Secrets" mob trial resumed deliberations Thursday after a weeklong hiatus but did not reach a verdict on the penalty phase of the trial.

Meanwhile, two notes that jurors sent to the judge were kept secret by him, revealing to lawyers involved in the case only in chambers, away from reporters.

Lawyers from both sides will be in court this morning for a hearing of an unrevealed nature, a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office said Thursday.

U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel refused to release on bond one of the defendants in the case, Anthony "Twan" Doyle of Arizona, saying he would consider it only after the jury finishes its job.

The jury on Sept. 10 found Doyle and defendants James Marcello of Lombard, Frank Calabrese Sr. of Oak Brook, Joseph Lombardo of Chicago and Paul Schiro of Phoenix guilty of racketeering.

Now they are considering whether Marcello, Calabrese, Lombardo and Schiro conspired to commit murders that were alleged as part of the racketeering charge. If the jury decides they did, the men could face life in prison.

Doyle was the only defendant who was out on bond during the trial, but he was taken into custody upon the guilty verdict so that bond could be reconsidered.

Zagel noted Thursday that Doyle's crime involved helping Calabrese when better judgment should have persuaded him not to. As a result, he said, he does not want to take the chance that Doyle may do that again while the jury is in deliberations.