Judge Perry Dismisses Charges Against 4 Activists Over Grand Jury Misconduct
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Judge Perry Dismisses Charges Against 4 Activists Over Grand Jury Misconduct
6 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Four Democratic activists had charges thrown out in Chicago after Judge April M. Perry found prosecutors tainted the grand jury process before trial.
Perry said prosecutors spoke with jurors outside the grand jury room, coached them that the evidence was strong, and removed panelists who had opposed an earlier version of the case.
She also said prosecutors tried to conceal those steps by redacting grand jury transcripts until she ordered full copies.
The ruling adds to at least three judicial rebukes of Justice Department prosecutors since November and to a broader pattern of failed efforts to win grand jury indictments under Trump.
Is the grand jury's role as a citizen's shield failing amid widespread prosecutorial misconduct?
When judges no longer trust federal prosecutors, what does that mean for the future of American justice?