Acosta Juror May Be Dumped

ACOSTA JUROR MAY BE BOUNCED
The Daily Pilot reports, HERE, that one of the jurors in the Benito Acosta trial may be dismissed because he was observed talking with a witness in the trial, former Police Lieutenant Clay Epperson, on Thursday. According to the report, choices before the judge are to dismiss the juror or proceed with the trial or declare a mistrial.

This is just one more interesting aspects of this case as it plays out before Judge David O. Carter and the 9-person jury.

UPDATE: The Daily Pilot reports just before 1:00 p.m. that the juror in question has, in fact, been dismissed from the trial and that it will proceed with 8 jurors.

UPDATE #2: Shortly after 8 p.m. tonight the Daily Pilot reports that the juror who was dismissed had approached witness Clay Epperson, retired Costa Mesa police Lieutenant, in the hallway and told him his jacket was not properly buttoned! I told you Judge Carter runs a tight ship! Obviously, Carter doesn't want there to be even the slightest hint of impropriety in this trial, so it will go forward now with only 8 jurors.


LEECE, FOLEY AND ROEDER TO SACTO
The Pilot also reports that Councilwomen Wendy Leece and Katrina Foley will join City Manager Allan Roeder on a trip to Sacramento Monday to meet with officials regarding the sale of the Fairgrounds. This is good news. If they can influence representatives to pass Jose Solorio's bill 1590 to quash the sale it will be money and time well-spent.