Barry Juror Hospitalized; Others Get Day Off
The jury in Mayor Marion Barry’s drug and perjury trial was excused for the day Thursday when a “deeply depressed . . . overwrought” juror was hospitalized.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson told prosecutors and defense attorneys that he expected the juror, 34-year-old hospital clerk Deborah Noel, to return today.
The jury was in its seventh day of deliberations on the 14 charges the mayor faces.
If Noel is unable to return to the deliberations, Jackson has the authority to dismiss her and order the remaining 11 panelists to resume weighing the case. Any other changes in the jury makeup could not be accomplished without the consent of attorneys for both sides.
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