One juror may have been a little too sure of yesterday’s Deutsche Bank verdict, according to prosecutors.
Prosecution in the Deutsche Bank blaze case asked the judge to start an inquiry into a juror’s contact with the foreman who was acquitted Tuesday, citing media reports that Salvatore DePaola, a 56-year-old of Staten Island, tearfully embraced one juror when he exited the courtroom after hearing the not guilty verdict.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Rena Uviller brought the jury into the courtroom to remind them to avoid media reports and ignore emotion, but declined to investigate further.
Uviller made the decision after asking the court officer what he witnessed Tuesday.
The officer described the embrace as “a split-second.” Jurors continue to deliberate over the case of the remaining defendant, site safety manager Jeffrey Melofchik, 48.
The men were charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment after two firefighters died battling a fire in the empty Deutsche Bank building. Prosecutors said the removal of a section of standpipe — which is used to deliver water to firefighters — hurt the men fighting the blaze.
Robert Beddia, 53, and Joseph Graffagnino, 33, died of smoke inhalation.
The third defendant, asbestos-abatement director Mitchel Alvo, 58, asked for a nonjury verdict. Uviller has not made a ruling in his case.
