Juror Dismissed in Trial of Corcoran Prison Guards

HANFORD, Calif. — A juror at the high-profile trial of four prison guards was excused Thursday after the defense learned that the juror’s husband had been behind bars in a military prison for two years.

The Corcoran State Prison guards are accused of placing Eddie Dillard, a 118-pound first-time offender, in the cell of a 6-foot-3, 230-pound sexual predator known as the Booty Bandit to punish Dillard for kicking a female guard.

During questioning, the juror, who was not identified by name, was asked if she had ever had a relative in a state prison. The juror apparently did not understand that the military prison was covered by the question.

A special grand jury last year indicted the four guards--Dale Brakebill, Robert Decker, Anthony Sylva and Joe Sanchez--on charges of aiding and abetting the rape after a former prison guard broke ranks and supported Dillard’s account.

The four are on leave with pay and face up to nine years in prison if convicted.