Ill. Judge to Interview Two Jurors Accused of Misconduct in Defense Verdict

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- A judge has indicated his intent to interview two jurors who plaintiffs contend wrongfully engaged in phone and e-mail conversations during deliberations in a welding fume trial. Haskell v. BOC Group, et al., No. 04-L-1152 (Ill. 3rd Jud. Ct., Madison Cty.).

A Feb. 8 hearing was held in the Illinois Third Judicial Circuit Court for Madison County after which the judge entered an order saying he would interview the two jurors and then make a decision on the plaintiff's motion for a new trial.

Michael Haskell claimed that during deliberations in his welding fume trial, a juror …