Articles
Christmas Plans Rush Jurors to Conviction
Defense lawyers in a racially charged manslaughter case said they planned to file an appeal after two jurors came forward saying they felt pressured to reach a decision before Christmas.
The Case
John H. White, a 54-year-old black man from Long Island, was found guilty of manslaughter for the shooting death of a white teenager, 17-year-old Daniel Cicciaro Jr.
Cicciaro and some of his friends showed up at White’s house, located in a largely white community, and challenged his 19-year-old son to a fight. White, who referred to the boys as a “lynch mob,” confronted them with a gun.
Prosecutors argued that White acted recklessly in what amounted to a shouting match between teenage boys. Not all jurors agreed so easily, however.
Jurors Felt Pressured
When Judge Barbara Kahn told the jurors on Saturday, December 22 nd—their fourth day of deliberations—they would have to return on Sunday if they failed to reach a decision, the two jurors with doubts caved.
The day after the verdict, juror Francois Larche came forward saying he felt pressure to vote guilty. Then on Wednesday, juror Donna Marshak came forward. Marshak said in an interview that she too felt pressure to join the majority, some of whom had holiday plans.
“I have tremendous feelings of guilt about it. The other members of the jury had made up their minds in the first hour that he was guilty, so it was a big fight all the way,” said Marshak.
Defense Wants to Question Jurors
White faces 5 to 15 years in prison but is free on bail until his sentencing in February.
His attorneys said they wanted to question the jurors under oath.
“We’re going to make a motion to set aside the verdict. The judge told us all along that the jury would deliberate regular business hours and the people were just not ready for this,” said defense lawyer Paul Gianelli.
(Source: New York Times online)
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