Judge Replaces Ill Juror in Scrushy Trial
June 22nd, 2005U.S. District Judge Karon Bowdre replaced an ill juror with an alternate today in the fraud trial of deposed HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy. She reinstructed the jury and told them to start over from scratch, according to the AP.
The juror was identified only as a man who had “recurring health problems.” The announcement followed a closed-door meeting with attorneys from both sides.
The action came in the wake of a federal appeals court ruling vacating the light sentences of two former financial officers on Tuesday.
The press and TV news media scrambled to report any development in the case, although there is no indication now that a verdict is in the offing anytime soon. The jury has deliberated a total of 16 days over the past month after indicating in questions to the judge that they could not reach a consensus on any of the remaining 36 counts against Mr. Scrushy.
Experts do not know what to think at this point, although the handicapping is still indicating a hung jury and mistrial.
