Several jurors chosen, but process slow-going in Mike Madigan corruption trial jury selection

ByMichelle Gallardo

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Process slow-going in Mike Madigan corruption trial jury selection

Several jurors have been chosen, but the process has been slow-going in the jury selection for former Illinois Speaker Mike Madigan's trial.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Jury selection has continued Wednesday in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.

Potential jurors are being interviewed.

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Several have already been dismissed.

Mike Madigan trial live updates: Potential jurors to be interviewed Wednesday in corruption trial

Jury selection on the first day of questioning went much slower than expected, with attorneys initially averaging more than half an hour per person, questioning prospective jurors on everything from their union membership to their TV preferences.

It is a process to which much time was dedicated during pre-trial hearings, as well, with defense attorneys at one point wanting to hire an outside company to research potential jurors' online footprints for signs of bias against Madigan. Ultimately, that request was rejected by the court.

Madigan sat at the defense table listening intently and taking notes, as attorneys began the lengthy process of interviewing up to 180 prospective jurors.

It is a process riddled with challenges, taking into account the nearly four decades Madigan spent at the top of Illinois government.

"An impartial jury is always difficult in a case like this because everybody is going to have heard about the case. Anyone who says they haven't heard about the case is probably lying. Anyone who said they haven't heard about at least Michael Madigan is probably lying," criminal defense attorney Steve Greenberg said. "You want to endear yourself to the jurors. So, both sides are going to be talking to them. They're going to want to be likable. They're going to use some humor when they're asking questions. They're going to try and relate to the jurors."

Legal expert Chris Hotaling joined ABC7 Chicago Wednesday morning to give more insight about the process.

"So, it's looking, really, for those people, who can fairly, impartially, openly consider all of the evidence that will be put forward," he said.

Twelve jurors and six alternates will eventually be selected.

Three jurors have been selected, including two men and one woman, but interviews are still running behind the hoped for schedule.

"There's been plenty of news coverage over the years. And this case has taken 10 years to bring, and I think a lot of the potential jurors have heard about Madigan in the news. And some of them have formed opinions one way or the other," jury consultant Alan Tuerkheimer said.

Opening statements are tentatively scheduled to begin on Tuesday, and the trial is expected to go well into December.

Madigan faces bribery and racketeering charges.

The former speaker is charged, along with his longtime friend and confidant, Mike McClain.

A 117-page superseding racketeering indictment accuses him of leading what prosecutors call the "Madigan Enterprise," dedicated to enriching himself and his political cronies, while also maintaining his party in power in Springfield. Both men have pleaded not guilty.