Reuters
May 14, 1996
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Reuter) - A Canadian woman who allegedly had an affair with an accused murderer while she sat on the jury hearing his case has been charged with obstructing justice, police said Tuesday.
The case is believed to be the first in North America where a former juror has been charged with obstruction of justice for having an intimate relationship with the defendant during a trial, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said.
Police allege that Gillian Guess, 41, had an affair with 31-year- old Preet Gill, who with five other men was acquitted of first-degree murder last year in the gang-style shootings of two Vancouver men.
Guess, a divorced mother of two, was not available for comment. She previously told local newspapers that she did have an affair with Gill but said it started after the trial when they met by chance in a bar.
Gill was free on bail during the trial which ran from February to October last year. Police allege Gill and Guess had an affair between April 17 and October 28, 1995.
Vancouver police began the investigation based on a tip received after the trial. The case was already being appealed.
Guess was arrested and charged Monday. Her lawyer, Peter Ritchie, said she plans to plead not guilty. If convicted she faces a maximum 10-year jail term.
Police said no other jurors were under suspicion in the case.
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