The Judge in the Galleon case suspended deliberations for tomorrow because of a juror's medical issue.  Earlier in the day, it was learned that defendant Rajaratnam, himself, would be absent because of emergency surgery.  [See next BTN story.]   U.S. District Judge Richard Holwell received a mid-day note from a jury member - which led to extensive private discussions with prosecutors and defense lawyers.   Citing "juror scheduling issues," the judge instructed jurors to stay for the rest of the day Monday, take Tuesday off, then return Wednesday morning.  In his note, the judge wrote:  "No juror should feel any time pressure whatsoever.  The jury will have all the time it needs to reach its verdict."

The disclosures of the medical issues came after the jury sent a note to the judge at about 11:40 a.m.  Members of the media and others who have been awaiting a verdict filed into the courtroom expecting the judge and the jury to come out.  But they didn't, and, eventually, the judge's deputy told those waiting in the gallery that the jurors hadn't reached a verdict.

Juror notes are considered court exhibits and are routinely made public. But the judge's deputy said that, because this note "involved a name and a medical procedure," the judge wouldn't release it.  Judge Holwell sealed a transcript of his private discussions with the lawyers, so that a court reporter who was present couldn't release it.   [Dealbook, 5/2/11]