Tyco Letter Writer Says He Thought Trial Had Ended

The author of a letter that contributed to a mistrial in the Tyco International Ltd. case told police that he thought a mistrial already had been declared when he wrote the letter, a police official said Tuesday.

The signed letter expressed anger at juror Ruth Jordan for allegedly favoring the acquittal of former Tyco executives L. Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz, who were accused of looting the conglomerate.

The juror also received a phone call, perceived as intimidating, that police believe was from someone other than the letter writer.

The communications prompted State Supreme Court Judge Michael Obus in Manhattan to declare a mistrial Friday after six months of trial proceedings and 11 days of jury deliberations, citing outside influences on the jury.

The letter was sent last week to Jordan, 79, who had been identified by some news organizations.

It “was signed by a person who thought there was already a mistrial and was complaining to her about it,” said the police official, who spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The official, who had not seen the letter but had been briefed on the investigation, said the letter was not threatening.

“It wasn’t a death threat,” the official said.

“It probably doesn’t rise to the level where there would be a prosecution,” the official said.

Among the potential charges could be jury tampering.