Tribune seeks Black trial juror names

CHICAGO, March 16 (UPI) -- The Chicago Tribune Friday urged the judge presiding over ex-media mogul Conrad Black's racketeering and fraud trial to release the juror list.

U.S. District Judge Amy St. Eve said she would take up the emergency motion on Monday, when opening statements are scheduled to be heard.

"There is no justification an anonymous jury," the Tribune's filing said. "The full names of all prospective jurors already have been read aloud in open court during (the selection process), making the retrospective sealing of the ultimate jury list both an ineffective and inappropriate measure."

"But more importantly, sealing the list of juror names in this public criminal case is an extraordinary measure that is not warranted under the circumstances and violates the public's First Amendment and common law right of access," the filing said.

Former Hollinger International Inc. Chairman Black is charged with fellow former Hollinger executives John Boultbee, Peter Atkinson and Mark Kipnis with conspiring to defraud the company, now known as Sun-Times Media Group Inc., of more than $83 million.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys selected a final panel of 12 jurors and 8 alternates Thursday afternoon.