LOS ANGELES : Juror Dropped in Felony Trial of LAPD Officer
A juror in the trial of a Los Angeles police officer accused of robbery, kidnaping and other felonies was removed from the case Tuesday and replaced with an alternate. Jury deliberations, which had been going on for four days, now must start anew.
Superior Court Judge George W. Trammell III cited the juror for misconduct after the forewoman sent him a note saying that one juror refused to further discuss the case against Bobby Rydell Marshall and was sleeping.
The jury had told Trammell the day before that it was deadlocked 11 to 1 on all counts against Marshall, who is charged with planning the 1989 robberies of two check-cashing stores.
Marshall’s lawyer, Leo Branton, protested the juror’s removal, noting that she was the only African-American deciding the fate of Marshall, who also is black and who contends that his prosecution is a result of his vocal criticism of racism and brutality in the LAPD. Through a random draw, the only black person among three alternates was chosen to replace the juror.
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