Judge declares mistrial in Desperate Housewives case

LOS ANGELES: A US judge has declared a mistrial in Nicollette Sheridan’s wrongful termination trial after the jury deadlocked, leaving an unresolved finale to a twoweek trial that focused on the behind-the-scenes intrigue and personalities of TV’S Desperate Housewives.

Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White excused the panel after it deadlocked 8-4 in favour of Sheridan’s claim.

The jury first reported problems in deliberations on Thursday then resumed discussions until Monday.

Sheridan had been seeking roughly Us$6mil (Rm18mil) from her former employers.

Sheridan claimed her role as Edie Britt was eliminated because she complained that series creator Marc Cherry struck her in the head during a September 2008 on-set dispute.

Lawyers for ABC, which airs the show, denied all wrongdoing and presented witnesses who said Cherry received permission from top studio and network officials to kill Britt four months before his dispute with the actress.

Cherry denied hitting the actress, claiming he tapped her on the head for artistic direction.

The jury of nine women and three men was presented conflicting evidence and testimony throughout the trial.

Sheridan’s lawyer Mark Baute accused ABC’S witnesses of lying and destroying evidence.

Defence lawyer Adam Levin said Sheridan’s account of Cherry striking her had grown “progressively more exaggerated” over the years, and pointed to the testimony of numerous witnesses who supported Cherry’s testimony that he killed off the actress’ role for creative reasons.