Gotti jury struggling
The judge at John “Junior” Gotti’s trial abruptly sent the jury home early yesterday after getting two notes saying the panel was deadlocked.
The impasse could lead to Gotti’s fourth hung jury if the cooling-off period — which will stretch until Monday due to a previously scheduled day off today — doesn’t help prompt a verdict.
Gotti’s lawyer objected to the early dismissal but was overruled by Manhattan federal Judge Kevin Castel, who told jurors not to think about the case and to “let the weekend be a period of relaxation.”
Yesterday morning, the panel’s foreman sent out a note that read, “At this time, we are unable to reach a unanimous verdict as to count 1, 2 and 3.”
A second note indicated the jurors were divided over charges that Gotti was involved in a cocaine-trafficking conspiracy.
