Judge Rejects Call for Anonymous Jury in Gang Member's Trial

The reputed Imperial Gangsters member is charged in six slayings and faces the death penalty

A federal judge has rejected prosecutors' request to keep juror identities confidential at the January murder and racketeering trial of an East Chicago man.

U.S. District Judge Philip Simon says in his ruling that an anonymous jury could send a prejudicial message to jurors in the case of Juan "Tito" Briseno.

The reputed Imperial Gangsters member is charged in six slayings and faces the death penalty.

The Post-Tribune reports prosecutors had argued that jurors could face possible harassment and retaliation if their names were made known to Briseno.

Simon left open the possibility that the juror information could be kept confidential. In that case, attorneys would know their identities, but the jurors would not be referred to by name aloud.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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