The jury weighing whether to convict New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez of federal bribery charges deliberated for a second day without reaching a verdict on Monday.
The six men and six women deciding the embattled Democrat’s fate left for the day after sending three notes to the judge — including cryptically asking whether they need to be unanimous in voting “not guilty” on a single count.
Jurors did not specify what count they were asking about. But the note suggests that panelists are considering acquitting either the senator or his two co-defendants on at least one of 18 charges.
“Does a not guilty verdict on a single count require unanimity?” the jury said, in the note read aloud in Manhattan federal court just after 11 a.m.
The senator’s alleged partners in the scheme include businessman Wael Hana. AP
Fred Daibes enters federal court in New York on Monday. AP
Judge Sidney Stein sent jurors a note back explaining that they need to be unanimous on every count in the feds’ indictment, whether they vote to convict or acquit.
Around 90 minutes later, the jury asked the judge to take a 10-minute midday break on the Manhattan courthouse’s eighth-floor terrace. The judge approved the unusual request, and deliberations resumed afterward.
Jurors later sent in a note at 1:55 p.m. asking whether allegations that Menendez received gold bar bribes for “intervening” in real estate mogul Fred Daibes’ federal bank fraud case fell under two of the specific counts the men are facing.
Sen. Bob Menendez (pictured) arrives at federal court for a corruption trial involving influence peddling and gold bars. Gregory P. MangoThe judge responded in a note that the alleged bribery scheme involving Menendez being accused of tampering in the case did in fact match up with those counts.
Menendez, 70, is charged with 16 felonies, including bribery, extortion and acting as an illegal foreign agent, in connection to an alleged scheme to scoop up gold bars, cash and other bribes in exchange for catering to the whims of Garden State businessmen and foreign governments.
The senator’s alleged partners in the scheme, Daibes and businessman Wael Hana, face bribery and other charges as well.
The jury had returned to court Monday after huddling for around three hours Friday afternoon without reaching a decision.
Menendez has maintained his innocence and refused to resign from the Senate with the case pending.”The jury understands that the story that the government told isn’t as simple as what’s in the press,” he huffed to reporters after leaving court for the day.
