Dennys Global Politics: The Social Poets: John Edwards Trial: Free At Last! Edwards Wins New Life

Friday, June 1, 2012

Four Trials by John Edwards (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Social Poets: John Edwards Trial: Free At Last! Edwards Wins New Life: From Denny: After nine days of deliberations, the jury found John Edwards not guilty on the central count, count three. The jury found Edwards not guilty of receiving illegal campaign contributions.

There is no verdict on the other five counts because the 12-person jury could not come to a unanimous decision as is required under federal criminal law. So, the judge was forced to declare a mistrial.

What was interesting today is how the judge received a note from the jury of the acquittal on one count, though she did not announce which way the verdict went. Instead, she and the prosecutors insisted that the jury go back and reconsider changing their positions and keep working on all the counts. Did the judge not like the acquittal on the one count and wanted the jury to change it?

The jury sent a second note about an hour later with the fact they were deadlocked for a unanimous decision on the remaining five counts under consideration. Read that as a frustrated jury saying, "Screw you, judge, we're done and are going home."

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