Jurors still deadlocked on Menendez charges

Jurors in the corruption and bribery trial against Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) said on Thursday that they are still deadlocked on all charges against the New Jersey Democrat and his co-defendant Salomon Melgen.

It was the second time in less than a week that jurors told U.S. District Judge William Walls that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision on any of the 12 counts against the co-defendants. 

Jurors sent a note to Walls shortly before noon, NJ.com reported Thursday. The judge will have to determine whether to order jurors to continue their deliberations or declare a mistrial.

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According to multiple reports, Walls is interviewing the jury foreman, as well as prosecutors and defense attorneys in his chambers.

The jurors’ latest notice that they are unable to reach a unanimous decision throws the already-extended trial into uncertainty. On Monday, jurors told Walls that they were deadlocked and they were ordered to go home, clear their heads and try again. 

The development on Thursday came hours after an alternate juror was installed when one of the original jurors was excused for a long-planned vacation. After she was dismissed on Nov. 9, that juror, Evelyn Arroyo-Maultsby, told reporters that the jury was divided on the charges and that she would have found Menendez not guilty.

Federal prosecutors allege that Menendez took lavish gifts, political donations and vacations from Melgen, a wealthy eye doctor from Florida, in exchange for using his office to advocate for Melgen’s personal and business interests.

Defense attorneys argue that the gifts and vacations were not part of a corrupt bargain, but were rather products of a close friendship between Menendez and Melgen that they say is akin to brotherhood.

With Republicans holding a slim two-seat majority in the Senate, leaders have watched the trial closely over the possibility that GOP New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie could replace Menendez with a Republican.