Subject:  Fieger on trial |
Author:
Chris
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Date Posted: 04/16/08 8:02pm
In reply to:
Diane
's message, "Fiegers' Trial Tomorrow ????" on 04/13/08 6:44pm
Hunt for impartial jurors begins in Fieger's trial
BY DAVID ASHENFELTER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER •
April 15, 2008
Jury selection got under way Monday in the criminal case against superstar lawyer Geoffrey Fieger and his law partner, who are accused of illegally contributing $127,000 to John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign.
By 1 p.m., when the proceedings ended for the day, six jurors had been picked for a 40-member jury pool from which 16 jurors -- 12 jurors and four alternates -- will be selected to hear the case against Fieger and law partner Vernon (Ven) Johnson.
Under questioning by U.S. District Judge Paul Borman, most of the potential jurors said they recognized Fieger -- who smiled broadly at them from the defense table. They said they knew Fieger from his TV commercials or his defense of assisted suicide doctor Jack Kevorkian.
Only two potential jurors expressed negative views about Fieger.
Juror 203, in a detailed questionnaire, called Fieger a showboat.
But the man assured Borman he could give Fieger a fair trial. He also said he held unfavorable views about the Department of Justice -- he thinks it's too political -- but said it wouldn't get in the way, either.
Borman put that juror in the pool, but rejected Juror 33, a heavy equipment operator, who said he had "very negative" views about Fieger. "You say you don't like him," Borman said.
"No, I don't," the man replied.
Asked if he could be fair, the man said, "I might."
Juror 201, an unemployed former assistant manager for Kohl's department store, said she likes watching Fieger on television and "the way he presented himself to the people."
But she said she "most definitely" would be fair -- and convict him if the evidence shows he broke the law.
Federal prosecutors say Fieger, 56, and Johnson, 46, recruited 64 people to contribute to Edwards' presidential campaign and reimbursed them in violation of federal law.
The men deny the charges.
Jury selection is to resume today. Borman said he hopes to seat a jury for the 5-week trial by Thursday afternoon.
Contact DAVID ASHENFELTER at or dashenfelter@freepress.com.
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