Jurors to return Monday after no verdict reached in Trayon White’s bribery trial
Jury to return Monday after failing to reach verdict in Trayon White’s bribery trial
The jury in D.C. Councilman Trayon White’s federal bribery trial was ordered to return Monday after telling the judge they were deadlocked on Friday.
WASHINGTON - The jury in the federal bribery trial of D.C. Councilmember Trayon White will return on Monday after saying they could not reach a verdict on Friday.
What we know:
White faces a single bribery charge alleging he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to use his official position to extend government contracts for businessman and FBI informant Allieu Kamara.
On Friday morning, jurors told the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked and unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The judge told them to continue deliberations, saying this was only day three of jury deliberations in an important trial.
Around 5 p.m., the jury was dismissed and ordered to return on Monday.
RELATED: No verdict in DC Councilman Trayon White’s bribery trial as jury deliberations head into third day
The backstory:
The jury was sent home shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday after deliberating for more than 13 hours. Jurors first received the case around 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Two notes sent from the jury to the judge on Thursday offered insight into their ongoing debate regarding the legal requirements for a federal bribery conviction.
The jury first inquired whether violating D.C. Council gift rules constituted a breach of official duty, to which the judge answered no.
In a second question, jurors asked if accepting cash payments meant for performing an official act constitutes bribery if the recipient never intended to carry out that act. The judge confirmed that the answer is no.
Jurors in DC Councilmember Trayon White’s bribery trial say they cannot reach verdict Friday
What they're saying:
On Friday, White spoke outside the courthouse to provide an update and thank supporters.
"We have not got a decision about the jury today, unfortunately or fortunately, but even in that we're still patient, we're still believing, and we're still pressing," White said.
If convicted, White faces up to 15 years in federal prison and would lose his seat on the D.C. Council.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting.