Naperville juror declines comment on Blagojevich move
Family of the Blagojevich jury forewoman — under fire for documents she displayed during a recent talk at a suburban high school — said they plan to delay comment until they “hear what they (Blagojevich's attorneys) really want.”
Connie Wilson was “not available” Saturday afternoon at her Naperville home, according to a family member who answered the door but declined to give his name.
The man said the family was unaware of the emergency motion that was filed on Friday by attorneys of the convicted ex-governor requesting an evidentiary hearing to determine if court rules were broken by Wilson.
“Did they actually file one? We heard that they were going to file one on Monday,” he said. “So, until we hear that, we don't know anything.”
In the motion, attorneys claim the Wilson engaged in misconduct for showing what they believe are copies of her juror questionnaire to students at Metea Valley High School in Aurora. Questionnaires, the motion states, are property of the court, and must remain “confidential and under seal.”
If Wilson does, in fact, have a copy of her questionnaire, Blagojevich's lawyers said she has violated a rule of court “so severe” that “her violations must result in a new trial.”
Wilson family declined to answer questions on the documents in her possession and how she obtained them.
Blagojevich was sentenced Dec. 7 to 14 years in prison after being convicted on a series of corruption charges, which include trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama when he was elected in 2008.
The motion cites a Dec. 13 Daily Herald article as well as a Dec. 16 Naperville Patch report of Wilson's appearance at Metea in which she showed copies of her jury summons and questionnaire as well as sketches of the former governor during the trial. Wilson was speaking to students about the civic duty of serving as a juror.
“In the Daily Herald article, as well as another article ... there are reports that Ms. Wilson discussed certain questions and her answers to certain questions in the questionnaire,” the motion reads. “It is unknown how Ms. Wilson could have obtained a copy of her questionnaire absent some misconduct and in violation of the court's rules.”
A hearing before Judge James Zagel is scheduled for Monday morning in Chicago.