Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 2, 1995 TAG: 9503020061
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
Michael Knox, a 46-year-old courier, was the subject of numerous complaints over several weeks that led to a dispute during the jury's visit to Simpson's estate.
He was replaced by one of the nine remaining alternate jurors: a 38-year-old white woman who works for the phone company and once described herself as a ``touchy, feely'' kind of person.
Knox was the fourth juror in the case to be removed. His replacement changed the composition of the jury to eight women and four men. Racially, it changed the makeup to eight blacks, two whites, one Hispanic and one mixed-race juror.
Since the original jury was seated in November, analysts have said the mostly black panel would probably tend to favor Simpson.
``This just goes to prove, don't judge a juror by the color of their skin or the rumor mill,'' Loyola University Law Professor Laurie Levenson said after Knox made his comments.
Knox denied reports that there were racial tensions among jurors.
Knox had been under challenge by the prosecution for some time on several grounds.
Judge Lance Ito gave no reason for Knox's removal, and Knox wouldn't say why he was replaced either. But many of the jury's problems have leaked out.
First, it was reported that before Knox was chosen as a juror, he bet a week's salary that Simpson would be acquitted.
Then he showed up at the jury's trip to the murder scene and Simpson's mansion in a sweatshirt with the logo of the Los Angeles Raiders and a cap with the logo of one of Simpson's former teams, the San Francisco 49ers.
Knox noted that he disclosed during jury selection that his brother worked for the 49ers.
A transcript showed that prosecutor Marcia Clark complained that Knox, during the visit to Simpson's estate, had paused too long to examine photos of Simpson.
by CNB