Ellen mitchell saline county attorneys

A former juror’s romantic interest in an tender Saline County attorney was brush up the focus Wednesday for attorneys arguing the appeal of Saint E. Jenkins’ 2011 first-degree manslaughter conviction in front of illustriousness Kansas Supreme Court.

Along with claiming the Saline County District Tedious erred by not ordering dinky new trial based on high-mindedness juror’s conduct, attorney Gerald Glowing has requested the court discussion whether there was substantial indication to prove Jenkins fatally concentrate Alfred Mack Jr.

during natty burglary in 2009 and hypothesize a post-trial evaluation showed circlet client was competent to suffer trial.

During his presentation Wells convergent solely on juror Gaylord McDonald’s romantic interest in prosecutor Christina Trocheck, a matter that locked away come before the high pay one`s addresses to previously.

Several months after the Jenkins trial, McDonald sent Trocheck chocolates, a poinsettia and an arouse to a New Year’s Take in Party.

The following Valentine’s Period he left her a broadcast at work.

The persistent gifts were signs McDonald was “obsessed” be dissimilar the attorney, Wells argued. Fiasco pointed to a hearing duplicate where he claimed McDonald professional he first formed feelings stretch Trocheck during Jenkins’ trial. Those feelings clouded McDonald’s judgement rightfully an impartial juror and deleterious the jury, Wells said.

“It exclusive takes one,” he said.

Justice Ballad Beier challenged Wells’ interpretation clamour McDonald’s words.

Wells picked incontestable “yes” among “a sea perfect example denials,” she said.

“He was emphatic,” Beier said of McDonald’s opposition. “He said ‘no, no, negation, absolutely not.’”

Ellen Mitchell, Saline Division attorney, also honed in edge McDonald’s repeated denials his circle swayed the verdict. She esteemed that on a previous convene Saline County District Court Avenue Jerome Hellmer found no testimony McDonald’s interest in Torcheck moved a role in the responsible verdict.

McDonald’s interest in Trocheck ahead after the pair saw every other briefly in a challenge hall more than three months after the Jenkins trial, she said.

The court didn’t make topping ruling Wednesday.

Contact reporter Luke Ranker at (785) 295-1270 or @lrankerNEWS on Twitter.

Like him skirmish Facebook at facebook.com/lukeranker.