Blagojevich trial juror names secret, Judge James Zagel, Questionnaires not released

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

From the Chicago Tribune February 8, 2011.

“The federal judge presiding over the retrial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich ruled today that he intends to keep the names of jurors secret until after the verdict and won’t publicly release the written questionnaires they fill out.

U.S. District Judge James Zagel said he intends to destroy the questionnaires to “help ensure full candor of responses.” He took the same action after the first trial last year.

The judge also said he would identify jurors by number during the trial and only release their names eight hours after the verdict is returned. He released the names moments after the verdict was announced last time.

Zagel wasn’t specific about why he made the change, writing, “Incidents occurring after juror names were released following the first trial counsels the wisdom of providing a short delay in releasing jurors’ names, even after the verdict is returned.””

Read more:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-judge-blagojevich-jurors-to-remain-secret-20110208,0,2705694.story