A pre-sentence investigation was ordered Wednesday for Jason Anderson, 30.

Also, District Court Judge Donald E. Rysavy certified a gross misdemeanor charge against the defendant, who promptly entered a guilty plea.

Anderson is accused of jury tampering after he revealed information about a murder case defendant to his wife, a juror in the case.

Anderson's wife was immediately dismissed from the trial by District Judge Fred A. Wellmann and her husband arrested.

Mower County Attorney Patrick W. Flanagan said he was pleased with the guilty plea Wednesday.

"It's what we wanted and after the PSI, this case will be wrapped up," Flanagan said after the hearing.

The trial was for Jamie Lee Chris Schammel, 22 of Austin, who received a nine-year, seven-month sentence March 13

in Judge Wellmann's courtroom. He pled guilty to a third degree murder charge in connection with the January 2001 death of James Erick Chilson, 42 of Austin.

Anderson admitted telling his wife, a juror, that Schammel had been arrested during the trial on new drug charges.

When she told Judge Wellmann, she was dismissed, making her the second juror in the Schammel trial to be removed.

Anderson was released on his own recognizance and will return to court for sentencing as soon as the PSI is completed.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com