Robust jury screening sought in Lake sheriff corruption case
NWI Times
Jun 30, 2017
HAMMOND — Attorneys for Lake County Sheriff John Buncich are seeking a more detailed jury screening ahead of his public corruption trial, citing the case's "significant publicity."
One of Buncich's defense lawyers, Bryan M. Truitt, also cited “an endless negative campaign by the (The Times of Northwest Indiana) and the Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott," in his motion requesting extra screening ensuring an impartial jury.
The motion filed Thursday noted that a preliminary, detailed questionnaire would allow both prosecutors and the defense to screen jurors for cause, and "avoid ... a potential juror from elaborating their feelings and poisoning the remainder of the jury pool," court documents show.
A separate pretrial motion also requested the ability on both sides to question individual jurors during jury selection, noting Buncich "has many political allies, as well as political enemies."
Buncich is pleading not guilty to a five-count indictment alleging he deprived the public of honest government services by soliciting and receiving thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from towing firms wanting work from county police.
In April, Buncich issued a public statement proclaiming his innocence to federal felony bribery and wire fraud charges in an alleged towing contract kickback scheme.
His attorney in a separate pretrial motion filed this week also requested notice if government prosecutors intend to “introduce any evidence of bad character,” moving forward.
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