Jury deadlocks in bribery trial of Illinois state Sen. Emil Jones III; judge declares mistrial
A federal judge declared a mistrial Thursday afternoon in the bribery trial of Illinois state Sen Emil Jones III (D-Chicago), after jurors deadlocked on all three charges against him.
Jones is accused of asking for a bribe to oppose legislation that would have required a statewide evaluation of red-light camera systems. Jurors deliberated for more than 24 hours over four days starting on Monday before telling U.S. District Judge Andrea Wood that they could not reach a unanimous verdict on any of the three counts against him.
Jones is charged with bribery, use of an interstate facility to solicit bribery, and lying to federal agents.
After polling each juror about the impasse, Wood declared a mistrial in Jones' case.
"I do think it's appropriate at this point to declare a mistrial. So that is what I will do," Wood said.
It was not immediately clear if federal prosecutors would seek to retry him.
Jones is accused of seeking $5,000 in campaign donations, and a job for a former intern at his district office from Omar Maani, the co-founder of red light camera company SafeSpeed LLC, in exchange for his help with legislation to protect the company's interests.
Prosecutors have accused Jones of taking bribes in exchange for a promise to oppose legislation that would have required a statewide study of red light cameras. Maani, who was the star witness against Jones, believed the legislation would have hurt SafeSpeed.
In exchange for a bribe, Jones said he would oppose the IDOT study on red-light camera systems outside of Chicago and limit such studies to the city, prosecutors said.
According to the charges, Jones said if Maani contributed the $5,000 by sponsoring one of the senator's events, it would not have to be listed on Illinois campaign contribution reports.
Maani was cooperating with the FBI investigation of Jones, and recorded their conversations, which were played for jurors at the trial.
Jones testified in his own defense, and has denied ever agreeing to any deal with Maani, and only suggested a $5,000 donation to support community causes. He also testified his request for Maani to hire a former intern was a routine job recommendation that had nothing to do with red light camera legislation.
