Outside knowledge sees Libby juror sent home (Guardian/UK)

  The judge declined to say what information the juror had seen but characterised it as a misunderstanding.

  Guardian Unlimited

  Feb. 26, 2007 -- A juror in the CIA leak trial of Lewis "Scooter" Libby was dismissed Monday after she admitted to the judge that she had been exposed to external information about the case.

  Judge Reggie Walton said the jury would continue their fourth day of deliberations with 11 members.

  "I will emphasise again the importance of not having contact with any outside information," judge Walton said.

  Earlier, the prospect of a mistrial being declared in the case was raised after the judge privately began questioning each of the jurors over the possibility that they had seen media coverage of it.

  If a significant number had seen the coverage, a mistrial could have been declared.

  Instead the judge opted to dismiss just one female member of the jury. Judge Walton said "what she had exposure to obviously disqualifies her."

  The judge declined to say what information the juror had seen but characterised it as a misunderstanding.

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