Hearing starts in ex-BP engineer obstruction case
Ex-BP engineer hopes for acquittal or new trial in hearing on his obstruction conviction
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Attorneys for a BP engineer found guilty of obstructing an investigation into the 2010 Gulf oil spill wants his conviction thrown out, saying the jury forewoman heard statements outside of the trial that influenced the panel's decision.
In a federal court hearing Thursday, an attorney for engineer Kurt Mix said the forewoman in Mix's December trial told other jurors that she had heard statements that affirmed her view that Mix was guilty.
The forewoman heard that other people in addition to Mix would likely be tried in the case. Prosecutors said there's no evidence the information made a difference in the deliberations.
Prosecutors also said defense lawyers illegally interviewed jurors after the verdict.
