[Gay State Conservative]

May have watched too many hours of Law & Order on TV, but I doubt if any background on the dead guy would be allowed as it could be determined to be prejudicial.

That could be true...but it's likely to make the papers.In fact it already has at least a bit.What is seen cannot be "un-seen".And yes I'd know that if it's not allowed into evidence I can't tell anyone,including fellow jurors,that I'm voting not guilty partially because of his past.

Call it jury nullification if you wish but in the end *I* will determine what's pertinent and what's not...not some terrorist in a black robe.

[HiTech RedNeck]

You could hang the jury easily, but convincing it without revealing prejudice would be harder.