Alabama: Jury Deadlocked on Some Charges

Jury in Gambling Corruption Trial Hits Roadblock
Written by Tamika Bickham

Jurors in the Gambling Corruption Trial came to a head today announcing they are unable to agree on verdicts for all 37 counts. Defendants may be preparing to hear a verdict sometime tomorrow.

On the fifth day of jury deliberations, jurors declared they made a unanimous decision on some counts, but said they may never reach an agreement on others.

It is unclear how many counts exactly the jury is deadlocked on or if there is even a complete verdict for any one defendant, but the judge told defense attorneys to be on standby with their clients tomorrow because partial verdicts could be announced.

"They are hung up on counts. I don't know if it's defendants. I don't know if it's all defendants or just a few. It's hard to tell," said Jim Parkman, Harri Anne Smith's attorney.

"I don't think anyone wants to look out to a partial verdict as to any one defendant, but now if you've got a verdict complete as to one defendant. We would be interested in that," said Joe Espy, Milton McGregor's attorney.

Attorneys believe the judge as well as the jurors are not ready to give up just yet, so they believe the judge and the jury will give deliberations another try.


Bingo Corruption Trial: Jury says it is deadlocked on some counts
By: Lance Griffin

5 p.m. -- Jurors in the gambling corruption trial told the judge Tuesday they have come to an agreement on some counts, but appear hopelessly deadlocked on others.

The jury foreman sent a note informing U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson of their situation just before 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The note reads:

“We have reached unanimous consent on some counts but this jury feels we will never reach unanimous consent on all counts. We await your direction.”

After receiving input from the government and defendants, Thompson told the jury that he has considered their note, but asked that they continue deliberating.

Thompson told the attorneys that if the court receives another note from the jury indicating a deadlock, he may ask the jury if it has reached a verdict on any one or more defendants in relation to all charges. If so, the court can receive that verdict and direct the jury to continue deliberating other counts.

Also, Thompson said he could also consider giving the jury an “Allen charge”, which is an instruction from the court to redouble efforts to attempt to reach a consensus.

Jim Parkman, attorney for Sen. Harri Anne Smith, was unsure what the jury's note means for the charges against Smith.

"We just don't know right now," Parkman said. "We'll just have to wait and see. Tomorrow could be a big day."

The jury has completed its fifth day of deliberations.

4:28 p.m. – The jury has told the judge it has reached consensus on some counts, but appears hopelessly deadlocked on others.

The note, read by U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson, reads:

“We have reached unanimous consent on some counts but this jury feels we will never reach unanimous consent on all counts. We await your direction.”

The court has recessed for 10 minutes. Thompson will hear suggestions from the prosecution and defense about how to proceed.

4:03 p.m. – Jurors have sent a note to the judge. The text alert sent to the media used the term “important note” from the jury.

Attorneys and defendants have about 25 minutes to convene, then the judge will read the note and determine how to proceed.

11:30 a.m. – Jurors entered their fifth day of deliberations in the gambling corruption trial Tuesday.

The jury convened at 9 a.m., an hour later than normal, to consider the charges against the nine defendants.

VictoryLand owner Milton McGregor, lobbyists Tom Coker and Robert Geddie, former Sens. Larry Means and Jim Preuitt, current Sens. Quinton Ross and Harri Anne Smith, former Country Crossing spokesperson Jay Walker and legislative analyst Ray Crosby are charged with a number of federal crimes.

All defendants except Crosby are charged with conspiracy and honest services fraud. Most face bribery charges and some face extortion charges as well. Smith is also charged with money laundering. Geddie faces an obstruction of justice charge and Preuitt faces a false statements charge as well. Overall, there are 37 counts in the final indictment.