Absent Stevens juror admits father didn't die

heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
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Absent Stevens juror admits father didn't die

Juror No. 4 in Sen. Ted Stevens' federal corruption trial, otherwise known as Marian Hinnant, did not leave to attend her father's funeral in California, as she told the judge.

Instead, Hinnant had a plane ticket to see the Breeder's Cup at the Santa Anita race track and didn't want to miss it, she told the judge this morning, in what sounded like completely irrational and perhaps even delusional remarks.

"I just wanted to go to the Breeder's Cup," she told reporters after a hearing the judge held to find out why she left town and lost contact with him, forcing him to replace her as a juror just hours before the jury found Stevens guilty.....

Her lawyer, federal public defender A.J. Kramer, tried to keep her from saying much in court, telling the judge only that "her state of mind was such that she had to go to California."

"She apologizes to the court. In fact, her father did not die," Kramer said. "The story about her father was just one that popped into her head."

But Hinnant cut in, and in a thick Kentucky drawl, gave a rambling, incoherent and baffling monologue about her former employers in the horseracing industry in Kentucky. She mentioned drugs, wiretaps and horseracing, but made little sense.

"I'm not the one who was selling the drugs, I'm not the one who was doing the drugs," she said.

:laugh:

Good thing they make decent whiskey in Kentucky. Wonder if Mitch McConnell will carry the 'wack-job' vote ??? It's doubtful his seat is up for grabs but the Senate race is tightening .....
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
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Its why we have alternate jurors, if one turns into a rouge, the alternate can step in rather than have it result in a mistrial. As for Marian Hinnant, I certainly would not to be in her shoes now and I very much doubt the judge is amused by her story.

It may give Ted Steven's more reasons to appeal, but there is no appeal from the verdict of the Alaska electorate who will probably end Steven's long and crooked political career tomorrow.
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,559
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Originally posted by: Lemon law
Its why we have alternate jurors, if one turns into a rouge, the alternate can step in rather than have it result in a mistrial. As for Marian Hinnant, I certainly would not to be in her shoes now and I very much doubt the judge is amused by her story.

It may give Ted Steven's more reasons to appeal, but there is no appeal from the verdict of the Alaska electorate who will probably end Steven's long and crooked political career tomorrow.

Too bad we don't do it that way for Vice Presidential candidates.

 

heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
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Originally posted by: Lemon law
Its why we have alternate jurors, if one turns into a rouge, the alternate can step in rather than have it result in a mistrial. As for Marian Hinnant, I certainly would not to be in her shoes now and I very much doubt the judge is amused by her story.

It may give Ted Steven's more reasons to appeal, but there is no appeal from the verdict of the Alaska electorate who will probably end Steven's long and crooked political career tomorrow.

It appears the judge is going to let her walk ...

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan let her go, saying that he was going to "accept Mr. Kramer's representation that you were not able to (deliberate) and for reasons that were serious to you."

He added: "I'm convinced you were not able to deliberate."

Clearly there are other 'issues' at work here. She didn't have her own counsel and had to rely on a public defender. I would guess this would result in some type of contempt charge if the judge did not excuse her.

I had jury duty today that was deferred until January. IIRC there were 6 to 8 reasons once summoned under which you could skip the service. I wouldn't be certain that she could pass the 'mental competency' aspect of serving based upon her outbursts .....
 

techs

Lifer
Sep 26, 2000
28,559
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Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Originally posted by: Lemon law
Its why we have alternate jurors, if one turns into a rouge, the alternate can step in rather than have it result in a mistrial. As for Marian Hinnant, I certainly would not to be in her shoes now and I very much doubt the judge is amused by her story.

It may give Ted Steven's more reasons to appeal, but there is no appeal from the verdict of the Alaska electorate who will probably end Steven's long and crooked political career tomorrow.

It appears the judge is going to let her walk ...

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan let her go, saying that he was going to "accept Mr. Kramer's representation that you were not able to (deliberate) and for reasons that were serious to you."

He added: "I'm convinced you were not able to deliberate."

Clearly there are other 'issues' at work here. She didn't have her own counsel and had to rely on a public defender. I would guess this would result in some type of contempt charge if the judge did not excuse her.

I had jury duty today that was deferred until January. IIRC there were 6 to 8 reasons once summoned under which you could skip the service. I wouldn't be certain that she could pass the 'mental competency' aspect of serving based upon her outbursts .....

So bascially its easier to be a Senator than a Juror. Cause Senators don't have to meet a mental competency test. I guess that explains Ted Stevens.