Jurors contemplating the federal bribery case in opposition to Illinois Sen. Emil Jones III signaled Wednesday they might not have the ability to attain an settlement on two of three counts in opposition to the South Aspect Democrat.
The jury spent 18 hours contemplating the case in opposition to Jones over three days earlier than U.S. District Choose Andrea Wooden despatched them house for the night time Wednesday. Earlier than she did, she learn a word from the jury to prosecutors and protection attorneys that signaled the jurors’ frustration.
The word learn, “At this level, it doesn’t seem like the jury can attain a unanimous settlement on Counts 1 and three. Is there any help that may be supplied?”
One other word from the jury requested whether or not they should agree that Jones accepted $5,000 from a red-light businessman in addition to a job for Jones’ former intern, “or is it sufficient that one of many issues of worth had been accepted?”
Wooden stated she deliberate to reply to the jury Thursday morning. Amongst different issues, she stated she’d give them an instruction urging them alongside of their deliberations.
Jones’ trial is in its third week. Jurors within the case heard from a half-dozen witnesses over seven days. If the jury fails to succeed in a verdict, it could be the second hung jury in seven months in a federal corruption trial in Chicago.
Prosecutors say Jones agreed to guard red-light digicam govt Omar Maani within the Illinois Senate in trade for $5,000 and a job for Jones’ former intern, Christopher Katz. The ex-intern was paid $1,800 by Maani regardless that he did no work.
Jones had filed a invoice in February 2019 that might have prompted a statewide examine of red-light cameras, and Maani noticed it as unhealthy for enterprise.
FBI particular brokers first approached Jones concerning the alleged bribes on Sept. 24, 2019, the day brokers additionally descended on the workplaces of then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval. Sandoval pleaded responsible in 2020 to taking bribes from Maani however died later that yr.
Throughout his testimony, Jones portrayed himself as being on the middle of a yearslong struggle to reform red-light cameras in Illinois. He instructed jurors he had no alternative however to work with Maani and Sandoval, although he stated Sandoval was a “bully” and Maani was a “used-car salesman.”
The alleged unlawful deal between Jones and Maani arose over two dinners they shared in summer season 2019 on the downtown steakhouse Steak 48. Jones denied there was any settlement, although. Not for Maani to contribute $5,000 to Jones marketing campaign, and never for Maani to provide Katz a job.
In the course of the first dinner between the 2, on July 17, 2019, Maani requested how a lot he may increase for Jones “in a great world.” Jones finally stated, “Should you can increase me 5 grand, that’d be good.”
However Jones additionally talked about his curiosity to find a job for Katz. Throughout their later assembly, on Aug. 8, 2019, Maani instructed Jones he’d assist Katz “100%.”
“And like I stated earlier than,” Maani added, “in case you may simply assist me out with the, ah, the examine to make it to Chicago.”
“You’re good,” Jones instructed him.
