We haven't reported much about the Galleon trial in the last week, because not much has happened. The jury has gone through six days of deliberation without a verdict. It took today off.
Rajaratnam received medical treatment on Sunday for a bacterial infection in his foot, and was a no-show at court on Monday, having been excused by U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell. John Down, Rajaratnam's lawyer issued a statement saying:
"It is hoped that he will be recovered sufficiently to return to the courthouse this week. The court has approved this absence."
Medical news figured into today's adjournment – a juror had a medical procedure that pre-empted the proceedings. The jurors informed the judge about the medical problem by sending him a note. Judge Howell replied with his own note:
"No juror should feel any time pressure whatsoever. The jury will have all the time it needs to reach its verdict."
Rajaratnam, foot notwithstanding, need not be present if and when the jury hands down its verdict. Rajaratnam is looking at decades of government hospitality if he is convicted.
UPDATE: May 4, 2011
The ill juror was excused today, and the jury will now have to restart its deliberations with an alternate juror in place. The dismissed juror is a 70-year old female retired bookkeeper. Both teams of lawyers approved her withdrawal. The replacement juror is a 39-year-old Westchester County Parks Dept. employee. A new foreman will be chosen as well.
"The law requires that jurors begin their deliberations anew," Judge Holwell instructed the jury, now made up of eight women and four men. "Accordingly, you must disregard your earlier deliberations and begin your deliberations anew. The law requires you to base your verdict solely upon the evidence," the judge added. "The verdict must represent the verdict of each juror, including the new juror that's been seated."
© 2011 Hedge Fund Writer LLC
