From the Copley News

Attorney: Ryan trying to 'influence' jury pool 
 
By MIKE RAMSEY 
 COPLEY NEWS SERVICE 
 
Published Wednesday, September 14, 2005 
 
 CHICAGO - Former Gov. George Ryan has done several recent interviews with the media in an attempt to "favorably influence" potential jurors on the eve of his corruption trial, a federal prosecutor said Tuesday. 
 
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Collins asked Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer to instruct the retired governor to adhere to her previous ruling in the case that bars explanations at trial about Ryan's policy decisions in office. His request came in response to what Collins called a media "blitz" of Ryan discussing his accomplishments in office and asserting that he didn't accept a "corrupt dollar" from anyone. 
 
 During a status hearing in the case, Collins cited several Chicago-area TV reports and a Chicago Tribune profile that ran over the weekend, the latter of which detailed Ryan's efforts to halt executions in Illinois. The prosecutor called the ex-governor's access to media outlets an "orchestrated attempt by Mr. Ryan to favorably influence the jury pool." 
 
 About 300 pool members from the metropolitan region were to report this morning to Chicago's federal courthouse to fill out written questionnaires that will help guide prosecutors and defense attorneys in the jury-selection process. Face-to-face interviews with some of the pool members are scheduled to begin Monday. 
 
 Ryan attorney Dan Webb said he gave the former governor permission to talk to reporters, provided he doesn't discuss evidence in the case. Webb said Ryan should be allowed to talk about his time in office because the case has been subject to negative pre-trial publicity. 
 
 Webb acknowledged his client might not grasp all of the legalities in the case. 
 
 "He's a pharmacist by trade," he said. 
 
 Pallmeyer did not act on the matter, saying it was too early to assess what potential jurors think about the case. She said she would tell them to ignore media accounts. 
 
 Ryan, a Kankakee Republican, was indicted in December 2003, nearly a year after he left office. He is accused of using his influence as secretary of state, and then as governor, to steer government business to friends in exchange for cash, vacations and other gifts to him and his family. Ryan's longtime friend and adviser, Larry Warner of Chicago, is a co-defendant. 
 
 The criminal racketeering trial is expected to last up to four months. 
 
 Also Tuesday, Webb said he would seek Pallmeyer's permission to allow Ryan's wife, Lura Lynn, to watch the proceedings daily, even though she is a potential defense witness. Collins said court rules prohibit witnesses from watching a trial, but Webb said Mrs. Ryan's testimony would not be influenced. Warner's defense attorney, Ed Genson, sought a similar waiver for his client's wife. 
 
 Webb said Ryan, 71, likely would testify during the trial.