Ex-Officer’s Sentence Delayed
The sentencing of a former California Highway Patrol officer convicted of murdering his business partner was delayed Friday after claims that jurors at his trial were guilty of misconduct.
Michael Woods, 59, who was convicted of first-degree murder 12 1/2 years after Horace “Big Mac” McKenna was machine-gunned outside his Brea residence, will appear in court again next month as a judge reviews the claims.
Responding to assertions by Woods’ lawyers, Superior Court Judge Kazuharu Makino has subpoenaed three jurors for questioning on Feb. 19.
The accusations of juror misconduct are contained in a sealed file and neither defense lawyers nor prosecutors would discuss the claims. However, a source familiar with the case said the claims concerned jurors’ alleged impaired hearing ability and inattentiveness.
The misconduct claims are part of a motion filed by defense lawyers for a new trial.
In August, prosecutors convinced jurors that Woods paid his bodyguard $50,000 to arrange the slaying of McKenna in a bid to gain control of several Los Angeles strip clubs the men owned.
Woods faces a possible sentence of life without parole.
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