Photo by Glynn Wilson

Don Siegelman relieved

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (LF) - The federal jury in the Bush Justice Department's case against former Gov. Don Siegelman and deposed HealthSouth founder Richard Scrushy is hung in a deadlock today, meaning they may not be able to reach a verdict and the case is likely over.

The jury reported their inability to reach a unanimous verdict in the 34-count case against four defendants on the sixth day of deliberations in a note to U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller.

Attorney's for Siegelman asked the judge to declare a mistrial.

Fuller declined, however, and gave jurors a "dynamite" Allen charge designed to encourage them to continue working to try and reach a verdict.

"This is an important case," Fuller told jurors. "The trial has been expensive in time, effort and emotional strain on both sides."

The jury left early today from the federal courthouse in Montgomery, but will return Friday morning to continue deliberations one more time.

AP story

Montgomery Advertiser story