Judge Denies Motion In Karl Thompson Case - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

SPOKANE, Wash. - A bump in the road for the defense team in the Karl Thompson trial. U.S. District Judge Fred Van Sickle ruled in a motion Tuesday to deny their request to talk to jurors. Lawyers wanted to question jurors about what they possible saw on the news in the hotel on Nov. 1 and 2 as they were heading to court in Yakima, citing that exposure to outside information would sway them in their verdict. Thompson was convicted of use of excessive force and lying to investigators in the 2006 death of janitor Otto Zehm. Thompson's lawyers have until Dec. 14 to file a motion for a new trial.