“I knew [Moreland] was going to investigate things up in Albany” said potential juror. “I knew it didn’t go forward” https://t.co/0MpODAP5d2
— erica orden (@eorden) November 3, 2015
After a long day of jury selection, opening statements are expected in the federal corruption trial of Lower East Side Assemblyman Sheldon Silver today.
One by one, Judge Valerie Caproni Monday called prospective jurors into her fourth floor courtroom at the Thurgood Marshall Courthouse at 40 Foley Square. In a session that went late into the evening, a pool of 36 jurors was chosen after questioning from the judge. A few were dismissed for cause, but mostly Caproni rejected efforts from attorneys on both sides to eliminate jurors for perceived bias.
Assemblyman Silver stands accused of seven federal counts related to an alleged $4 million influence pedaling scheme. After making his way through a gauntlet of reporters and TV crews, Silver walked into the courtroom and surveyed the audience assembled to watch the first day of his trial. He sat down at the defense table with members of his legal team. Throughout the proceedings, he conferred with attorneys, looked over jury questionnaires and even cracked a smile a couple of times. In short, he was very much engaged.
Sheldon Silver trial jury selection still underway as of 8:00 p.m. Monday aiming for 36 jurors, whittled to 12 Tues. pic.twitter.com/6ny1cfXLme
— Dan Levy (@dlevywnyt) November 3, 2015
One prospective juror, a 27-year-old children’s book editor from Manhattan indicated on his written form that he was aware Silver has been accused of some “dirty dealings throughout his career.” The man, whose dad was once a physician for the U.S Congress, said he believes politicians should “be held to a higher standard” than other people. But he told the judge he would have no problem evaluating the case solely based on the evidence presented. Steven Molo, one of Silver’s attorneys, tried unsuccessfully to dismiss than juror for cause.
A woman from Rockland County, a college guidance counselor, said an ongoing FBI investigation of the town supervisor in Rampago, where she lives, has partially tainted her views of politicians in general. But the juror also stated that she could be fair, so the judge declined to dismiss her for cause. On the other hand, Caproni excused a man who said he said he’s suspicious of people who make deals to “save their own skin.” A least one star witness in the case struck a non-prosecution arrangement with the U.S. attorney.
Throughout the questioning, Judge Caproni made her intention clear to seat a jury representative of the New York area. For this reason, the pool includes people from Westchester County and other locations north of the city, as well as Manhattan and the Bronx.
One woman, an unemployed school administrator, recently lost a loved one to cancer. During the trial, prosecutors will allege that Silver steered state grants to mesothelioma research in exchange for lucrative legal referrals. The prospective juror became emotional in telling the judge that she would try to separate her personal experience from the trial testimony. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Cohen tried to have the juror dismissed but, again, the judge said, “I’m confident she would be a fair juror.”
This morning, the prosecution and defense will have an opportunity to strike jurors before the judge settles on a 12-person panel. Opening statements will follow.
