WASHINGTON, Feb 26 One juror in the perjury trial of former vice presidential aide Lewis

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) One juror in the perjury trial of former vice presidential aide Lewis ''Scooter'' Libby was dismissed today after she told the judge she had been exposed to information about the case outside of court.

Judge Reggie Walton said the jury would continue to deliberate with 11 members.

''It's imperative that you not have any contact with any information regarding this case from any source outside this courtroom,'' Walton told the 11 remaining jurors.

Had an alternate been called to replace the dismissed juror, the jury would have had to begin its deliberations anew.

The jury, which consisted of eight women and four men, has been deliberating since last Wednesday.

Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, is charged with lying to investigators as they sought to determine who leaked the identity of CIA analyst Valerie Plame in 2003 after her husband accused the Bush administration of manipulating intelligence to build its case for the Iraq war.

Libby is charged with two counts of perjury, two counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction of justice. He faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.25 million in fines if found guilty.

Libby's attorneys say he simply could not accurately recall conversations about Plame when he was interviewed months later by the FBI and a grand jury.

Nobody has been charged with intentionally identifying Plame, the wife of former ambassador Joseph Wilson. Libby's perjury trial is the only criminal case to emerge from the investigation.

REUTERS SAM RN2354