Ill. Man Files Motion for New Trial, Cites Juror Misconduct

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- An Illinois man whose welding fume trial ended in a defense verdict last month has filed a motion for a new trial, saying that a juror on the panel had wrongfully engaged in contact by phone and e-mail with a discharged alternate juror. Haskell v. BOC Group, et al., No. 04-L-1152, (Ill. 3rd Jud. Ct., Madison Cty.).

The post-trial motion and motion for a new trial was filed Dec. 12 in the Madison County Circuit Court and was accompanied by two affidavits of the plaintiffs' counsel that detailed conversations between the two members of the jury panel. …