Yesterday the penalty phase hearing in the capital trial of Russell Peeler got underway in Bridgeport Superior Court. This is his second penalty phase hearing after the first one ended with a hung jury. Already there’s some drama. Two jurors asked to be dismissed after the Connecticut Post mentioned their names in a story over the weekend.

Defense attorney Erskine McIntosh moved for a mistrial, saying he was concerned about the possibility of future problems with jurors. “I just don’t think it’s worth that type of risk, particularly when this man’s life is on the line,” McIntosh said.

Judge Robert Devlin Jr. denied the request. “I detected no hesitation in their ability to be up to the task,” he said of the remaining jurors.

Peeler’s hearing is one of two set for this month. Lazale Ashby’s hearing in Hartford is also scheduled for this month.

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