|
|
 |
McDougal jury recesses until Friday morningSANTA MONICA, California (AllPolitics, November 19) -- The jury in the Susan McDougal embezzlement case went home without reaching a verdict Thursday, its first full day of deliberation. 
McDougal is accused of stealing money from conductor Zubin Mehta and his wife, Nancy, while she worked as their bookkeeper. The jury, composed of nine women and three men, deliberated for about 5 1/2 hours Thursday. As they deliberated, McDougal read a book, "A Short History of a Small Place," sent to her while she was in jail. The jury is scheduled to resume its deliberation Friday morning at 9 a.m. PST (noon EST). In final arguments Wednesday, the day the case went to the jury, the prosecutor called McDougal a "con woman" who manipulated her employer in order to steal her money. The defense concluded its closing arguments Tuesday afternoon, contending that Nancy Mehta's testimony against McDougal was unbelievable, and that there is plenty of reasonable doubt to justify an innocent verdict. The trial is in its 11th week. No matter the outcome of her embezzlement trial, McDougal will have a three-month break before facing her next trial in Little Rock. At the request of McDougal's attorney, U.S. District Court Judge George Howard Jr. in Little Rock has rescheduled her criminal contempt trial for February 16th. McDougal's trial had been set for November 30th. Howard's staff is preparing for a trial lasting up to three weeks. She faces two counts of criminal contempt and one count of obstruction of justice for refusing to answer questions from prosecutors for Independent Counsel Ken Starr, and from grand jurors. McDougal has insisted her steadfast refusal to cooperate stems from her belief Starr wants her to lie about then-Gov. Bill Clinton's role in business dealings in Arkansas in the 1980s. MORE STORIES:Thursday, November 19, 1998
• Starr says Clinton 'chose deception' • White House lashes out at Starr's testimony • Quick takes from the Impeachment hearing • McDougal jury recesses until Friday morning • Utah congressman's erratic behavior troubles staff members, GOP • As Congress focuses on Lewinsky, GOP governors focus on schools • Bono's widow says prescription drugs contributed to his death • Hearing brings those seeking history, drama and famous people • Officials back rotating regional primaries for president • For now, Clinton won't recommend a Social Security solution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
