Prosecutors and defense attorneys in the criminal insider-trading case against former Qwest chief executive Joe Nacchio have asked a judge to seal from public view their proposed jury questions, which will be used to help select jurors for the trial.
The attorneys submitted their joint jury questions and request to keep them under wraps Friday.
“The purpose of the questionnaire is to assist in the selection of an impartial jury and to address issues such as pretrial publicity and prejudicial opinions held by potential jurors,” prosecutors and defense attorneys wrote in the joint filing. “Public filing of the proposed questionnaire will undoubtedly attract the type of public discussion and attention that will hinder the purpose of a questionnaire.”
Nacchio’s attorneys have said they plan to use classified information to defend him against 42 counts of illegal insider trading connected to his sale of $101 million in Qwest stock in early 2001. Nacchio faces up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for each count. He has pleaded not guilty.
U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham has held a series of closed-door hearings to determine what classified information will be permitted during the trial, slated to begin March 19.
Staff writer Andy Vuong can be reached at 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com.
