Mistrial Declared in Hornsby Corruption Trial
posted 11:46 pm Wed November 28, 2007 - Greenbelt, Md.
U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte made the ruling Wednesday after jurors remained deadlocked after seven days of deliberations.
"People who see those clips don't sit like the jury did day by day by day and listen to the entirety of the evidence and understand the weaknesses of the governments case," said Robert Bonsib, Hornsby's Attorney.
Hornsby, who left office in 2005, was charged with steering a schools contract worth about $1 million to an educational technology firm where his then-girlfriend worked. Federal prosecutors allege that Hornsby and the girlfriend then split the $20,000 commission she received.
"We've said all along that the government did not have the evidence to prove what they alleged. Their duty is to convince 12 people beyond a reasonable doubt. They failed because they didn't have reliable and competent evidence to prove what they charged," said Bonsib.
Jurors sent a note to Messitte last week saying they could not reach a unanimous verdict, but the judge instructed them to continue deliberations. Latest Comment on Mistrial Declared in Hornsby Corruption Trial
Winstrv
4:43 pm on 11/29/07
This jury should move to California. They would fit right in.
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