Tribune Wants Judge to Open Cellini Hearing

The Chicago Tribune is calling on the federal judge presiding over the case of an Illinois powerbroker convicted of corruption to open a Friday hearing.

A jury convicted William Cellini on Nov. 1 of conspiring to extort a $1.5 million campaign donation. After the jurors' names were released, the Tribune reported that one juror hadn't disclosed felony convictions on her record.

Cellini's attorneys say that information casts doubt on the juror's honesty. They want Judge James Zagel to order a new trial.

Zagel is scheduled to meet attorneys for both sides in private Friday morning. The Tribune has filed a motion asking Zagel to move the hearing to his public courtroom.

The newspaper says the media and the public deserve to hear the case.

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