FBI raids Lake County, sheriff’s home and offices

[HoughMade]

curious: would that remove the ability to still ask questions openly during a jury screening or can you have it both ways (questionnaire and open jury selection questioning)?

The procedure that I have used in about 8 trials that were subject to media coverage was that a special questionnaire directed specifically to inquiring about media exposure regarding the defendant or any prior knowledge about the defendant at all was filled out by the prospective jurors. If the questionnaire responses showed that any juror or jurors may have been exposed to media reports or knew anything about the defendant, the rest of the jury venire (with no answers that caused concern) was sent away for a break while the jurors at issue were question individually at the bench outside the hearing of the other "suspect" jurors. If there were any "for cause" strikes for bias formed by the media reports or prior knowledge of the defendant, we exercised them there and the judge ruled on them. If there was bias, the juror was dismissed, if the judge determined that none existed, they stayed on the venire and were instructed to not discuss anything that happened during this phase with the other jurors. Then the rest of the jury venire was brought back and regular questioning commenced and all questions about knowledge of the media reports or prior knowledge of the defendant himself were avoided at the risk of a mistrial if these issues were brought up before the entire venire.

 

[jedi]

I wish that would somehow help things in your county

It's a start.

Keep dreaming. The lake county monster just grows a new head that is all. This all could have been avoided had the sheriff not tried to go against Da Mayor of Hammond. But alas the sherrif got greedy and Da Mayor showed him who is boss.

 

[T.Lex]

So you cribbed it from capital practitioners?

 

[HoughMade]

So you cribbed it from capital practitioners?

Kinda....but geez, I thought it was innovative for med mal cases.

 

[lonehoosier]

UPDATE: Assistant US attorney says Lake County Sheriff John Buncich put money 'in his back pocket' as public corruption trial opens
UPDATE: Assistant US attorney says Lake County Sheriff John Buncich put money 'in his back pocket' as public corruption trial opens | Crime and Courts | nwitimes.com

A look at the case against Lake County Sheriff John Buncich
A look at the case against Lake County Sheriff John Buncich | Crime and Courts | nwitimes.com

 

[lonehoosier]

Former Sheriff Buncich wants to push back sentencing to prepare challenge against new allegations of wrongdoing
Former Sheriff Buncich wants to push back sentencing to prepare challenge against new allegations of wrongdoing | Crime and Courts | nwitimes.com

 

[KellyinAvon]

Former Sheriff Buncich wants to push back sentencing to prepare challenge against new allegations of wrongdoing
Former Sheriff Buncich wants to push back sentencing to prepare challenge against new allegations of wrongdoing | Crime and Courts | nwitimes.com

And the hits just keep on coming...

 

[chef larry]

 

[HoughMade]

I was never a fan of using uncharged conduct...that the jury never heard, for sentencing purposes. Seems constitutionally icky to me, but it's been done for a long time.

 

[lonehoosier]

UPDATE: In 'the darkest day' of his life former Sheriff John Buncich is sentenced to 188 months in prison UPDATE: In 'the darkest day' of his life former Sheriff John Buncich is sentenced to 188 months in prison | Crime and Courts | nwitimes.com

 

[Ericpwp]

I also heard on the radio this morning that they are looking into Schererville in Merrillville as well.