LOS ANGELES : Judge in Fleiss Case Agrees to Hear Jurors’ Testimony

The judge in the Heidi Fleiss case agreed Monday to hear testimony from some of the jurors who convicted the Hollywood madam as a possible prelude to granting them immunity so that they can speak freely about own their misconduct.

In written declarations, five jurors have admitted violating the judge’s instructions by discussing the case among themselves outside the courtroom.

But in response to published comments by a high-ranking deputy Los Angeles County district attorney that such conduct might result in their being prosecuted for contempt of court, defense attorneys say jurors have been unwilling to make further statements, hampering defense efforts to win Fleiss a new trial.

The district attorney’s office subsequently backed off its threat to prosecute the jurors, saying that immunity would be appropriate.

At a hearing next Monday, Superior Court Judge Judith Champagne is expected to question the jurors who convicted Fleiss on pandering charges to determine whether immunity would be necessary to get them to talk.