From the Chronicle (well, the Associated Press actually):
A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a Harris County commissioner accused of taking more than $100,000 in bribes in return for helping a Houston developer obtain millions of dollars in contracts.
Jerry Eversole had been facing up to 21 years in prison if convicted.
But U.S. District Judge David Hittner on Wednesday ended the trial after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
The jury had deliberated since Friday following a three-week trial.
Prosecutors say they plan on retrying the 68-year-old official.
Eversole's attorney, Rusty Hardin, says he was disappointed there wasn't a verdict but appreciative his client would get another day in court.
Eversole was charged with conspiracy, accepting a bribe and filing false income tax returns in 2003 and 2004.
More:
- Hung jury ends trial for Jerry Eversole-
- Prosecution, defense retooling in Eversole case
- Commentary: Eversole's bad 'luck of the draw'
A couple comments:
1 - perhaps convictions are largely a functions of who is on any given jury. If true, how much faith does that give us for our justice system.
2 - What is the precise definition between a bribe (wikipedia, legal dictionary) and a campaign donation? Is there a clear distinction between the two?
