Trouble At The Stevens' Trial

The jury at Sen. Ted Stevens' (R-Alaska) corruption trial, now in its second day of deliberations over the senator's fate, has sent a note to Judge Emmet Sullivan complaining about the "violent outbursts" of one of the jurors, reports Dan Reilly.

After consulting with Stevens' lawyers and prosecutors, Judge Sullivan is calling them back into the courtroom for a lecture on the proper decorum for the difficult task they face.

The jurors' note to Judge Sullivan said the juror in question, a woman, "has had violent outbursts with other jurors and that's not helping anyone. She is not following the laws and rules that were stipulated." 
 
Judge Sullivan called it a "very serious allegation" and asked both sides for research into whether removal of the juror was allowable and what would be the fallout of such a move.

The identity of the jurors in the monthlong trial is secret.

Stevens has been charged with failing to report more than $250,000 in improper gifts that he received from 1999 to 2006. Stevens denied the allegations, and with his reelection looming, sought a speedy trial. The case went to the jury Wednesday afternoon, and jurors returned this morning for their second day of deliberations.

Update — Judge Sullivan told the jurors that he was calling them in to give them a "pep talk."

"I want to encourage civility and mutual respect among yourselves," Judge Sullivan told them.

"You're still smiling, that's good to see," he added.

Judge Sullivan dismissed the jury to return to its deliberations. After they left, he told defense attorneys and prosecutors that his lecture may be the only action necessary to get the proceedings back on track, but added that "time will tell."

He also has yet to rule on another note sent by the jury asking for details on the financial-disclosure requirements Stevens must meet as a senator.