Troubles with the ironworkers jury?

Deliberations in the racketeering conspiracy trial of Philadelphia Ironworkers Union boss Joseph Dougherty have apparently been stopped by one or more of jurors not participating in the process.

U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson brought the parties back into court at about 2:15 p.m. to discuss at sidebar a note he received from the foreman of the jury of seven women and five men.

Baylson said he would not disclose the contents of the note in open court but called in the jurors and firmly told them they had each taken oaths to fairly consider the evidence and apply the relevant law.

"You must deliberate on the evidence," Baylson said. "It's part of your obligation as jurors and each of you have to do this."

Although he did not disclose the contents of the note, Baylson said he was following the same process he did in the 2005 corruption trial of city Treasurer Corey Kemp when a similar situation developed.

In that case, Baylson dismissed a female juror who was allegedly biased against the FBI and was not participating in deliberations after 11 days. Several days later, the jury returned a guilty verdict against Kemp, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Baylson's decision and Kemp's conviction and sentence were affirmed on appeal.

The 12 jurors, who began deliberating Tuesday afternoon, were then told to resume their review of the evidence.

Source: Philly.com