Africa Sting Trial: After Partial Verdict, Judge Sends Jury Back

According to people at the federal district court in DC, the jury in the second Africa sting trial told the judge earlier today they've reached a unanimous verdict on certain counts (which means specific defendants) and are deadlocked on other counts.

Judge Leon wouldn't accept the partial verdict and told the jury to keep deliberating. But he also said the next time the jury comes out, he will accept a partial verdict.

That may be later today or tomorrow.

The defendants are R. Patrick Caldwell, John Mushriqui, Jeana Mushriqui, John Godsey, and Marc Morales. A sixth defendant, Stephen G. Giordanella, was acquitted in the case last month before it went to the jury.

The jury began deliberating twelve days ago.

The first Africa sting trial ended in September with a hung jury, forcing Judge Leon to declare a mistrial. The DOJ has said it will retry Pankesh Patel, Andrew Bigelow, John Benson Weir, and Lee Allen Tolleson.