Juror Rebels at Sheldon Silver’s Corruption Trial

Former NY State Assemblyman and speaker Sheldon Silver is on trial for corruption, which is surprising, as long as you are very, very very easily surprised.

Silver is charged with two fraud counts for each bribery scheme for allegedly depriving citizens of his “honest services”, and an extortion count for each scheme.

Dear Judge Caproni, I am wondering if there is any way I can be excused from this case, because I have a different opinion/view so far in this case and it is making me feel very, very uncomfortable. I don’t feel like I can be myself right now!

Much of Silver’s defense relies on the distinction.

“I want to remind you that each juror is entitled to his or her opinion”, she said, adding that jurors should “respectfully exchange views” – then, she sent them all back to deliberations.

In closing arguments Monday, prosecutors and Silver’s attorney Steven Molo clashed over how Silver is being portrayed.

Prosecutors say Silver earned $5 million illegally by trading his power for money. The defense argued when lawmakers with full time jobs serve government part time, it is virtually impossible not to have some form of conflict of interest.

Lawyers and Manhattan U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni are discussing how to respond, just hours after jurors in the closely-watched trial began deliberations at 10:55 on Tuesday morning.