According to notes passed to the judge, there wasn’t much hope of the jury in the Bell trial being able to resume constructive deliberations. However, Judge Kathleen Kennedy ordered them back into the jury room for one more attempt. When it failed, and the group remained locked at 9-3, Judge Kennedy declared a mistrial on the remaining charges.
Now, with five former officials guilty on a combined 21 charges, the State will decide whether or not to pursue another trial with a new jury to reconsider the remaining charges. A hearing is scheduled for April 23.
Another trial of the six officials would likely further delay the trial of Robert Rizzo, who the defense claimed was ultimately responsible for the schemes to boost salaries and pilfer millions from the city’s coffers.
A date for sentencing has not yet been set.
Read the full article at the Sacramento Bee.