LOS ANGELES (CA)
Contra Costa Times
LINDA DEUTSCH
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - Jurors deliberating the molestation trial of a retired Roman Catholic priest were told Tuesday to start their talks anew after one member of the panel had to be replaced due to a family emergency.
The jury had spent only one day deliberating the case of Michael Wempe before a long weekend - Monday was a holiday. They returned to their task Tuesday. The man who asked to be excused said he had to leave town due to the death of his grandfather. Lawyers in the case agreed to let him go.
He was replaced by another man from the pool of four alternates.
Superior Court Judge Curtis Rappe told the panel to start their talks anew "as if the earlier deliberations had not taken place."