Judge Refuses to Dismiss Juror in Cocaine Trial

A federal judge in the case of six men on trial in a record cocaine bust refused Wednesday to dismiss a juror who had posed questions to a law clerk and a court reporter during the jury’s deliberations.

U.S. District Judge Terry Hatter, although rejecting the request by prosecutors to dismiss the juror, did admonish the jury not to talk to anyone about the case and saying that any questions should be directed to the court.

The defendants are charged in the seizure last year of 21.4 tons of cocaine at a Sylmar warehouse.

Prosecutors said that, among other things, juror Ben Williams brought a law book into the deliberations room--in apparent violation of the judge’s warning not to consult any outside source--and questioned a court reporter about getting a copy of the transcript. Deliberations resumed after the judge’s decision.