[News] 2 jurors in Lynne Stewart trial ask to speak to judge

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http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N08318289.htm
Jurors in US lawyer's terrorism trial see judge
09 Feb 2005 00:17:20 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Gail Appleson

NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Two jurors in the closely watched terrorism 
trial of a New York defense lawyer met privately with the judge in the case 
on Tuesday in an indication there may be serious issues affecting 
deliberations.

The jurors' request to meet with the judge came during the panel's 11th day 
of deliberations in the case against leftist attorney Lynne Stewart, who is 
charged with supporting terrorist activity. The Manhattan federal jury is 
scheduled to resume deliberations on Wednesday.

Although the jurors' conversations were not made public, legal experts 
began speculating late last week that the length of deliberations could 
indicate that there were deep divisions among the panel's members. If there 
are problems, the judge could instruct the jury, which heard seven months 
of evidence, to keep trying to reach a verdict.

At issue is whether Stewart, a feisty New York defender of the poor and 
unpopular, intentionally helped a jailed militant Muslim communicate with 
violent followers. Prosecutors say her actions could have led to renewed 
violence in Egypt.

Stewart, 65, denies any wrongdoing and insists she was doing her job by 
zealously representing her client.

The charges against Stewart stem from her actions in representing Sheik 
Omar Abdel-Rahman, who was convicted in 1995 of conspiring to attack U.S. 
targets -- a plot prosecutors say included the 1993 bombing of the World 
Trade Center.

The case has attracted attention from U.S. lawyers, some of whom believe 
Stewart is the target of vindictive prosecutors and others who say she 
willingly broke the law.

In a separate development on Tuesday, the militant Jewish Defense 
Organization posted flyers outside the Manhattan federal courthouse, on 
Stewart's front door, and in her Brooklyn neighborhood calling her a traitor.

The flyers urge readers to call a phone number to "find out what you can 
do." Callers hear a message that accuses Stewart supporting terrorism 
against Jews, Israel and America. It states that she should be put out of 
business and gives her home address.

Jeff Klein, who identified himself as a spokesman for the group, confirmed 
that the group had posted the fliers and the purpose was to "drive her out 
of town." He said that while the phone message says that the group wants 
the jury to understand "what she is," he told Reuters the organization has 
not tried to contact any of jurors.

Stewart's lawyer, Michael Tigar, informed U.S. District Judge John Koeltl 
of the fliers and the phone messages. The lawyers in the case did not think 
the jurors, whose names are secret and who are driven to the courthouse in 
unmarked government vans, had seen the flyers. However, Koeltl said he 
would order the U.S. Marshal Service to take extra precautions in 
protecting the jurors.


2 Manhattan jurors considering fate of civil rights lawyer in terror trial 
ask to speak to judge

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--terrortrial0208feb08,0,1506460.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork
NEW YORK -- A month of deliberations in the trial of a Manhattan lawyer and 
two others accused of helping terrorists seemed to have taken its toll on 
jurors Tuesday, leading two of them to ask to speak with the judge.

The text of what was said in the two jurors' separate meetings with U.S. 
District Judge John Koeltl was sealed. But the proceedings, witnessed by a 
lawyer for the government and a lawyer for the defense teams, created a 
buzz in the courtroom.

After the two jurors met with the judge, the three defendants and their 
lawyers gathered in a corner of the courtroom for a discussion that brought 
a smile to each defendant. Prosecutors huddled as well. Both sides refused 
to comment.

Attorney Lynne Stewart, 65, is charged with conspiring to provide material 
support to terrorists, defrauding the government and lying to the 
government while she represented Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, who is serving a 
life prison sentence. Abdel-Rahman, 67, was convicted in 1995 of conspiring 
to assassinate Egypt's president and to blow up New York landmarks.

The government says Stewart conspired with Arabic interpreter Mohamed 
Yousry and postal employee Ahmed Abdel Sattar to spread Abdel-Rahman's 
deadly messages to followers in other countries despite U.S. government 
attempts to seal him off.

After the judge's meetings Tuesday, there was discussion by observers 
throughout the courtroom about the increased possibility of a mistrial as 
jurors appeared tired and frustrated by the pace of deliberations, the 
methods being employed in their efforts and the attitudes of some of their 
fellow panel members.

Jurors have set a leisurely pace, meeting only 11 times since deliberations 
began Jan. 12. They have taken off Fridays, a holiday and various days for 
personal needs.

Even late Tuesday, the jurors signaled that their work would not be done 
soon, telling the judge that one juror needs to be off Feb. 18-20.

Meanwhile, the judge said he told U.S. marshals that fliers posted on the 
streets around the courthouse by a group opposed to Stewart seemed designed 
to try to influence jurors.

"My responsibility is to assure it is a fair trial," he said.

Stewart lawyer Michael Tigar suggested that the judge take further steps to 
prompt a probe of the fliers and a telephone message that vowed to drive 
Stewart out of New York. He called the messages "murderous threats."

Stewart said fliers also were posted on the door of her Brooklyn home.

"They're cowards," she said.

Copyright © 2005, The Associated Press
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