Trial Begins For Two St. Jospeh County Democrats In Obama Petition-Forging Case

Again, you won't read much about this case beyond the South Bend Tribune, which broke the story of how key Democratic operatives in St. Joseph County conspired during the 2008 presidential election to forge signatures on the nominating petitions of Barack Obama in order to secure a place for him on the Indiana Democratic presidential primary ballot. Two officials in the scheme have already pleaded guilty, including the Democratic head of the county's voter registration office. Former St. Joseph Co. Democratic Chairman Butch Morgan and a party worker, Dustin Blythe, now stand trial for their accused roles in the scheme. The Tribune takes an interesting look at the jury selection process yesterday as the trial got underway:

Both sides — the state, represented by special prosecutor Stanley Levco, and the defense, represented by public defender Jeffrey Kimmell (Blythe) and William Stanley (Morgan) — asked the jurors whether they were loyal to a particular political party and, if so, whether that might affect their ability to decide the case in an impartial manner.  

"Do any of you, because of your political affiliation, feel you are leaning one way or another?" Levco asked.

Some said yes, others said no.

In one case, Kimmell flat out asked a group of 14 prospective jurors whether any of them identified as Republican.

A few raised their hands.

Levco also asked whether any of the jurors felt the alleged crimes were not serious or should not be prosecuted so many years after the fact.

Again, on both points, some said yes while others said no.

Despite the considerable amount of local and even national media attention paid to it over the past 18 or so months, less than half of the 41 prospective jurors questioned on the matter admitted to any prior knowledge of the case.

Some did, however, admit to knowing one or both of the defendants and/or one or more of the potential witnesses.

In the end, it took about three and a half hours to select 14 jurors — four males and 10 females, including two alternates — from a pool of 56. A roar erupted from the jury room when the final three entered about 5 p.m.

The trial resumes today with opening statements and jury instructions according to the Tribune.