Late this afternoon, Judge Sullivan dismissed the juror in the Ted Stevens trial who had traveled to California after her father died. Judge Sullivan had not been able to reach her and did not know when she would return. Over defense objections, Judge Sullivan decided to seat an alternate juror. Jurors will begin deliberations on Monday. Because the new juror did not participate in last week's deliberations, the jurors will be instructed to begin anew without considering prior deliberations.

The decision is a blow to Stevens's defense team, which wanted the judge to wait until Monday to see whether the court could establish contact with the juror. If the woman could not be reached, then the court should proceed with just 11 jurors, said defense attorney Robert Cary. ...

Since deliberations began last week, there have been signs of tensions during talks, including reports of one woman being "rude" and making "violent outbursts" among the jurors. Signs of tensions usually are positive for defense attorneys, but a new juror could potentially provide a calming presence.