Jurors can’t reach Stevens verdict on Day 1

The jury controlling Sen. Ted Stevens’s fate concluded its first day of deliberations without reaching a verdict.

In a note to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, the jurors reported “stressful” talks in their first day of talks and were allowed to leave early for the day. The 12-person jury began deliberating earlier today and will continue Thursday morning.

{mosads}A conviction on charges that he knowingly concealed lavish gifts from an Alaska oil tycoon would almost certainly end the longest-serving Republican senator’s political career. An acquittal would put Stevens back on the campaign trail in time to make his case for another term.

To convict Stevens, the jurors must reach a unanimous decision on felony charges that Stevens intentionally made false statements on his Senate disclosure forms. Stevens, 84, has pleaded not guilty to knowingly and willfully concealing more than $250,000 worth of gifts and free home renovations from former Veco Corp. head Bill Allen and other friends.

The case will likely turn on whether the jurors believe Stevens's defense that he didn't want and was unaware of gifts he received from Allen, or whether Allen was giving credible testimony that he gave Stevens gifts and the senator was covering himself in asking for bills.