Judge tells Menendez jury to keep trying
NEWARK, N.J. — The jury in the bribery trial of Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy donor and friend told the judge it couldn’t reach a verdict on Monday on any of the 18 counts against them, prompting the judge to order it to return on Tuesday to continue deliberating.
The day began with U.S. District Judge William Walls questioning jurors over public comments made last week by a juror who had been excused for a previously scheduled vacation. The juror told reporters she and others were in favor of acquittal, but she anticipated a hung jury.
While jurors have been told repeatedly not to read reports about the cases, four jurors and three alternates said they had. After questioning each in private, the judge directed the jury to restart deliberations with an alternate replacing the excused juror.
Three hours later, the jurors sent a note saying they couldn’t “reach a unanimous verdict on any of the charges.” The judge instructed them to “have a good meal and good sleep” and return today.
Prosecutors allege Menendez and Florida eye doctor Salomon Melgen between 2006 and 2013 engaged in a bribery scheme in which Menendez traded his political influence for luxury vacations and flights on the doctor’s private plane.
Both men deny the allegations.