Anonymous jury ordered for terror retrial (Liberty City 7)

[Scurrilous]

Source: Miami Herald

<snip>

"A federal judge on Friday aired concerns about the possibility of jury tampering in the upcoming retrial of an alleged homegrown terrorism group and ordered that Miami-Dade jurors be selected anonymously for the high-profile proceeding.

U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard cited numerous reasons for her order -- including a jury list handed by one defense lawyer to his client's mother so she could pray for an acquittal during first trial deliberations last week. Lenard noted that it was a "pristine list" with all 12 of the jurors' names and "X" marks next to six of them.

"At this point, it's unclear to the court what that list was about," she said.

Her order -- an edict normally seen in organized crime or major drug cases -- means that potentially hundreds of Miami-Dade voters who receive jury summonses for the retrial in January will be referred to by number, not by name. The judge also ordered the U.S. Marshals to provide criminal background checks on all prospective jurors for both sides.

In addition, Lenard ordered that the dozen jurors selected for the retrial in January be escorted to and from the courthouse by the U.S. Marshals Service to prevent any possible interference or intimidation of the panel."

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/353408.html

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Judge blocks deportation of acquitted Liberty City 7 suspect

<snip>

"A Miami federal judge instructed the U.S. government Friday not to deport a Haitian man acquitted of terrorism-related charges in the so-called Liberty City Seven trial until she determines whether he is needed as a defense witness in a retrial of the case is retried early next year.

The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to deport Lyglenson Lemorin, 32, a legal U.S. resident who was acquitted Dec. 13 on all charges, immigration authorities said Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Joan Lenard cautioned the government against moving ahead "with lightning speed so that he would not be available to testify."

"I don't know if it's on a fast track or not on a fast track," Lenard said. "I have to protect the rights of these defendants and I intend to do so."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Arango said she would convey the message to immigration officials. Lemorin is scheduled for an initial appearance before an immigration judge in Georgia on Jan. 8."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/miami/sfl-1212liberty,0,7564420.story

[flashl]

1. If only 'justice' was so swift for impeachment hearings or

Abramoff Congressional accomplishes, or hookergate, or rendition, or ... you get the idea.