UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, March 2, 1995
5B
Juror released from Simpson trial
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors succeeded in ousting a Black juror from the O.J. Simpson trial yesterday, apparently because they thought he was biased toward the former football star. But the man quickly told reporters he thought the prosecution has made a pretty strong case.
Michael Knox, a 46-year-old courier, was the subject of numerous complaints over several weeks that led to a dispute during the jury's visit to Simpson's estate.
He was replaced by one of the nine remaining alternate jurors: a 38-year-old white woman who works for the phone company and once described herself as a touchy-feely kind of person.
Knox was the fourth juror in the case to be removed. His replacement changed the composition of the jury to eight women and four men. Racially, it changed the makeup to eight Blacks, two whites, one Hispanic and one mixed-race juror.
Since the original jury was seated in November, analysts have said the mostly Black panel would probably
tend to favor Simpson.
"This just goes to prove, don't judge a juror by the color of their skin or the rumor mill," Loyola University Law Professor Laurie Levenson said after Knox made his comments. "It may be a good lesson in not trying to read the crystal ball and decide what these jurors are thinking."
Knox, who returned home after being sequestered for eight weeks, denied reports that there were racial tensions among jurors.
"No racial tension," Knox told reporters. "The only problem that the jury is having are the problems that any of us would have if all of us together were to come inside this house and have to be sequestered for any length of time.
"You know, we started going through personality conflicts, and that's all it is."
Knox had been under challenge by the prosecution for some time on several grounds.
Judge Lance It gave no reason for Knox's removal, and Knox wouldn't say why he was replaced either. But many of the jury's problems have leaked out.
First, it was reported that before Knox was chosen as a juror, he bet a week's salary that Simpson would be acquitted.
Then he showed up at the jury's trip to the murder scene and Simpson's mansion in a sweatshirt with the logo of the Los Angeles Raiders and a cap with the logo of one of Simpson's former teams, the San Francisco 49ers.
Xnox noted that he disclosed during jury selection that his brother worked for the 49ers.
A transcript showed that prosecutor Marcia Clark complained that Knox, during the visit to Simpson's estate, had paused too long to examine photos of Simpson and his family, in violation of the judge's orders.
Then there were reports that Knox had hidden domestic violence; he called that a lie.
His wife, Beverly Knox, told KCBS-TV: "That's untrue. That's untrue. I've been married to him for eight years, and we've never had any problems."
Asked if the jury can reach a verdict, Knox said, "Without a doubt. Because I think that the prosecution has made a pretty strong case so far, and they've got the evidence."
Asked if he thought Simpson was guilty, Knox said, "You know what, I have no opinion at all on that."
The alternate juror, who was chosen by lot, earlier had asked lto to remove her from the panel because she found the jury's sequestering too oppressive. She joked that she had been thinking of tying bed sheets together to escape from the hotel.
When her number was picked, too
taid: "All right No. 353, when I said
we needed you to stay ..." and
the woman smiled.
After the change in the panel, the jurors were returned to their hotel and told they would hear nothing more until tomorrow.
Defense says Susan Smith will plead insane
The Associated Press
UNION, S.C. — Susan Smith's defense to charges she drowned her two sons will be based on mental illness, her lawyers said yesterday, declining to specify whether she will plead not guilty or guilty.
Circuit Judge William Howard ordered Smith to be examined by state doctors to determine her competency to stand trial and her responsibility for her actions.
Prosecutor Tommy Pope contends Smith was sane the night the boys died and he is seeking the death penalty.
Under state law, if a jury finds
Smith guilty but mentally ill, she could be sentenced to die in the electric chair.
A verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity would mean Smith was incapable of knowing right from wrong at the time of the drownings, and she could be sentenced to a psychiatric facility until doctors declared her sane and a judge agreed.
The judge denied the prosecutor's request to have the defense be more specific about its strategy.
Smith faces two counts of murder in the Oct. 25 deaths of her sons, Michael, 3, and Alex, 14 months. For nine days, she claimed a carjacker
took her sons. But on Nov. 3 she confessed to letting her car roll into John D. Long Lake with the boys still strapped into their seats.
Smith, who is being held at a Columbia-area prison, sat quietly and showed no emotion. She did not make any statements during the hearing, which lasted more than an hour. A judge already has entered a not guilty plea on her behalf, a formality in scheduling her trial, set for July 10.
Pressed by Howard to provide the required legal notice of an insanity defense, Smith's lawyers, David Bruck and Judy Clarke, filed a brief statement.
"Absent further notice to the contrary ... the defendant will rely on the defense of insanity and on the plea of guilty but mentally ill," it said.
Bruck would not comment further. Legal experts not connected with the case said the statement was his way of keeping his options open and making it harder for Pope and the state's doctors who examine Smith to know the defense strategy.
"Bruck's playing the game by the rules and he's playing hard ball," said Dick Harpootian, a former prosecutor.
EFFECTS P.A. MICS. KYBDS MIDI. STRINGS
8 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.
Saturday - March 4, 1995
Liberty Hall
7th & MASS
Lawrence, KS
Administ. +7 in advance & 88 at the door
tickets on sale to S.U.A. and Liberty Hall
CASH PRIZES for best costumes
Big Video Screeners
Brazilian appetites food
Come to the Brazilian Caravana and
win a FREE round-trip airline ticket to
"Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo"
WANT TO FLY? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE!
The AirForce is looking for men and women who want to fly with the best after graduation. Ask about the new eye sight criteria. You may be the pilot we're looking for. Call to find out!
Contact Capt. Dean Wilson
At 864-4676 or visit at KU Military Bld.
What Else Can You Do at KU Besides Hitting the Books?
Become a leader at SUA!
Student Union Activities is seeking creative, hardworking applicants for 1995-96 Committee Coordinators:
SUA Committee Coordinators learn to:
•Lead and motivate volunteers
•Oversee a financial budget
•Communicate with campus leaders
•Program successful events
For an application, stop by the SUA Office: 4th Floor, Kansas Union or call 864-3477 for details. Deadline for applications: March 27, 1995