Santa Ana : Henley Co-Defendant’s Lawyer Seeks New Trial

A lawyer representing one of five defendants in the cocaine trafficking trial of Ram cornerback Darryl Henley said Thursday he will demand a new trial in the case within the next few weeks.

The attorney, James Riddet, who represented Henley’s uncle, Rex Henley, said he expects all of the co-defendants’ lawyers will join in the motion or file similar motions demanding a new trial on the basis of jury misconduct.

The case ended in March with convictions for Darryl Henley and the others on drug possession and conspiracy charges.

Riddet would not say what kind of jury misconduct he will allege, but according to sources close to the case, Riddet met with U.S. District Judge Gary L. Taylor on Monday to hand over transcripts of interviews of two former jurors.

The transcripts say the jurors contend that a third juror wanted to convict the group from the beginning of the trial because of their race, and that the juror made racist remarks aimed particularly at four of the defendants, including Darryl Henley and his uncle, who are African American.

Last week, Taylor also ordered an investigation into a juror’s allegation that Darryl Henley offered him a bribe for $50,000 to vote “not guilty” in the trial.

Darryl Henley and the co-defendants are scheduled for sentencing June 12. Darryl Henley faces at least a 10-year prison term. Defense attorneys are expected to ask for a delay in his and the other defendants’ sentencing.