April 17, 2009 - 12:57pm
News

Jury deadlocked on one of nine counts, judge considers mistrial ruling on that count

NEWARK - Judge Dennis Cavanaugh asks the jury again if there is a "hopeless deadlock" on one count of the nine-count indictment leveled against former state Sen. Joe Coniglio (D-Paramus) and each juror answers in the affirmative.

Cavanaugh dismisses them. Now he talks to counsel.

"It is my obligation is to determine what the position is...I am considering mistrial (in the case of this one count)," the judge says.

The government and defense agree that the judge can declare a mistrial on that one unknown count alone, and turn his attention to the other eight counts in which the jury has rendered a decision.

Cavanaugh says he will declare a mistrial for one count, and bring the jury in to deliver verdicts in the other eight counts.

Max Pizarro is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at max@politicsnj.com.

Related topics: Joe Coniglio