Questioning of Grand Jurors OKd

A Ventura County Superior Court judge granted a request Wednesday by attorneys for Michael Dally and Diana Haun to question grand jury members about recent proceedings.

Judge Frederick A. Jones’ ruling allows the lawyers to contact the grand jurors who indicted Dally and Haun last month on a special circumstance allegation, which makes them eligible for the death penalty. But Jones imposed limits, saying defense attorneys and their investigators could question the jurors only during work hours and only through the office of the grand jury.

Dally and Haun, both 36, are charged with slaying Dally’s wife, Sherri. The 35-year-old mother of two was beaten and stabbed to death and dumped in a ravine in a rugged area north of Ventura last year.

Dally and Haun, who were having an affair at the time of Sherri Dally’s death, are scheduled for a jury trial next month.

The two have been exchanging letters while in jail, prompting authorities to search Haun’s cell, officials said. Although no one would comment on what was taken during the searches, Deputy Public Defender Neil B. Quinn, who is representing Haun, said the action has raised some concerns, particularly about privileged documents.

On Wednesday, the judge also ruled that Haun’s jail cell could be searched by authorities, but certain documents--letters between Haun and her attorney and psychoanalyst--are privileged and cannot be turned over to prosecutors.

Jones still has not ruled on a defense motion to move the trial out of Ventura County. The next hearing on the case is scheduled for May 30.