NEW YORK (AP) — A jury deliberating over 18 charges at the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez in New York City asked the judge on Monday if unanimity is required to acquit “on a single count.” Hours later they recessed for the day without reaching a verdict.
The jurors sent the note after resuming discussions Monday morning in Manhattan federal court, following their first three hours of deliberations on Friday. The corruption trial for the New Jersey Democrat is in its 10th week. Their written note asked: “Does a not guilty verdict on a single count require unanimity?” After consulting with lawyers in the case, Judge Sidney H.
Stein responded: “Jury, your vote — whether guilty or not guilty — must be unanimous as to each count and to each defendant.” Jury deliberations were to resume Tuesday morning. Menendez is charged in 16 of 18 counts in an indictment first returned last fall.
Menendez, 70, has denied charges that he engaged in a bribery scheme from 2018 to 2023 to benefit three New Jersey businessmen, including by serving as a foreign agent for the government of Egypt. He and two businessmen who allegedly paid him bribes of gold and cash have pleaded not guilty. As he left the courthouse on Friday, Menendez told reporters, “I have faith in God and in the jury.
” Last week, lawyers spent more than 15 hours delivering closing arguments as they encouraged jurors to carefully review hundreds of exhibits and hours of testimony. Prosecutors put a heavy em.