Jury deliberations have begun with plenty of drama in the trial of ex-New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
A Manhattan juror at Silver's corruption trial asked to be excused Tuesday, less than two hours after talks began.
The woman said in a note that her heart was pounding as she was being criticized by other jurors who said she lacked common sense.
A prosecutor asked that the juror's request be granted. However, federal Judge Valerie Caproni said it was too early to excuse a juror. She said she would advise jurors to respectfully exchange views.
Prosecutors say Silver earned $5 million illegally by trading his power for money. Defense lawyers say the government is trying to criminalize normal political behavior.
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