Cheese Sickens Juror, Postpones Deliberation

A San Fernando Superior Court jury in a rape trial was forced to postpone deliberation Monday when one of the jurors became ill with Listeria monocytogenes , the disease traced by health officials to a bacteria in Jalisco-brand cheese.

County officials recalled the Mexican-style cheese last week after an estimated 29 people died since mid-March of Listeria, which can produce symptoms ranging from mild nausea and flu-like discomfort to fatal infections of the brain.

Juror Mary Stoiloff of Pacoima, who said she had eaten some of the cheese last week, requested that the court excuse her from duty because of the illness and because her father was hospitalized last week following a major heart attack.

Defendant Robert A. Smith, who is representing himself in court, refused to allow an alternate to substitute for Stoiloff, said Deputy District Atty. Susan Speer.

“She came into court and she looks bad, but it doesn’t look like she will need to be hospitalized,” Speer said. “A doctor tested her and said she is carrying the virus and that she needs rest and antibiotics.”

Smith, 35, is charged with five counts of rape and two counts of burglary in connection with a series of break-ins and assaults at a North Hollywood apartment project last November and December. Jurors began deliberating Thursday after a month of testimony.

Speer said deliberations are to resume June 24.