Jury deliberations are now in their third week. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to “stakeout” a trial, here’s how reporters do it.
First, a bit of background about the jury: The six men and six women were allowed to pick their own hours for deliberations. They decided to meet from 8:30 until 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Just like during the trial, there’s no court on Friday. At the end of each week, Judge Arthur Schwab brings them back into the courtroom to remind them not to read/watch/listen to the news, or talk to anyone about the trial. They have not been sequestered during this time. Judge Schwab says he trusts the jurors to do the right thing.
The jury room is just off the courtroom. I haven’t seen the inside of it, but know there’s at least a couple of doors they’re kept behind. Reporters, meanwhile have made the courtroom almost like a 2nd home.
We all sit in the back row, just like during the trial and while it’s never been discussed, it’s almost like we have “assigned” seats. Mine is closest to the jury room. Sometimes you can hear noises coming from the other side of the wall..but the conversation has been unrelated to the case.
That’s one thing I can say about the jury. They seem to all get along. Much of what’s heard is laughter. There was one day when they were eating lunch that a door must have been left open and I joked with another reporter that it sounded like ”Happy Hour” inside.
For the reporters, it’s mostly a waiting game. Some are updating blogs and writing stories, others are able to do Sudoku and read the paper. We share stories about our newsroom, talk about the case and what we think the verdict will be…and almost every day one of us thinks the verdict is coming in a matter of hours. So far, we know that being a psychic isn’t in the cards.
The day for the most part, runs like clockwork. The jury comes in right at 8:30 a.m. to get started. Lunch is brought in promptly at 11:30, and the 12 get to leave at 1:58 p.m. That way, as one reporter put it…they can be out on Grant Street right at 2 o’clock.
Mostly, the courtroom has little activity going on. However, at least once a day Judge Schwab will come through. Sometimes just to see how we’re doing, other times…bringing people through on a tour. He’s waiting around to see if the jury has any questions. Of course, we try to get a sense from him what’s going on. He can’t tell us though.
Dr Wecht, his attorneys and the prosecutors don’t come here until there’s a question or a verdict. When there is word of a jury question, everyone manages to get here pretty quick. It’s easy for the government’s lawyers because they have offices in the building. Dr Wecht’s and his lawyers are a couple of blocks away.
When there finally IS a verdict, the reporters have been told there will be about an hour before it’s read. That’s so everyone can get in place, and the courtroom can be “swept” before the verdict is read. That’s standard procedure.
The jury has to decide on 41 counts. Here’s how it breaks down:
Counts 1-24 are Wire Fraud/Theft of Honest Services 5-20 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine EACH COUNT
Counts 25-27 are Mail Fraud 5-20 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine EACH COUNT
Counts 28-32 more Wire fraud 5-20 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine EACH COUNT
Counts 33-36 more Mail Fraud 5-20 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine EACH COUNT
Count 37-- Theft Concerning Organization Receiving Federal Funds in 2001-- 1-10 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine
Count 38--Theft Concerning Organization Receiving Federal Funds in 2002-- 1-10 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine
Count 39--Theft Concerning Organization Receiving Federal Funds in 2003--1-10 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine
Count 40--Theft Concerning Organization Receiving Federal Funds in 2004--1-10 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine
Count 41--Theft Concerning Organization Receiving Federal Funds in 2005--1-10 years in prison, up to 250-thousand dollar fine
If convicted, we will not know what he could receive until sentencing. That takes place roughly three months after the verdict. The final amount of fines/jail time is up to Judge Schwab.
