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Alternate juror dismissed from Simpson case
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December 18, 1996
Web posted at: 9:00 a.m. EST
SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- The judge in the O.J. Simpson civil trial dismissed an alternate juror after the man wrote about his role in the case on a Christmas card.
The person who received the card from Gilbert Bustillos is a sheriff's deputy who alerted authorities that Bustillos had violated the judge's warning to jurors and alternates not to discuss the case.
Addressing his friend in the note, Bustillos said he wrote:
"You've given me bad luck, I got stuck on the O.J. civil
trial."
(400K/17 sec. AIFF or WAV sound)
Bustillos told CNN Los Angeles affiliate KTLA-TV he was shocked that "something this minute would have got me thrown out."
The dismissed alternate juror apparently did not provide any details about the case to his friend, a source told CNN. Prior to being selected as an alternate, Bustillos had written on his juror questionnaire that he did not want to be on the panel.
"I've warned you about talking about this case," Judge Hiroshi Fujisaki told the remaining jurors as he announced Tuesday that the man who wore badge No. 330 was no longer among them. "You are not to initiate any contact."
Bustillos was the fourth member of the panel of jurors and alternates to be dismissed since the civil trial began. Another was dismissed before opening statements. Four alternates remain on the panel.
Special section:
Related stories:
- Pathologist waffles on cross examination - December 17, 1996
- Ousted juror in Simpson case criticizes judge - November 26, 1996
- Juror to be dismissed before Simpson resumes testimony - November 26, 1996
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