‘Friendship’ defence, lack of ‘smoking gun’ aided Menendez
NEWARK, N.J. — Jurors in the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez didn’t think the government’s case was strong enough to convict the New Jersey Democrat and a wealthy friend, according to interviews with members of the panel after a mistrial was declared Thursday.
Jurors said most of the group was for acquittal but that a few holdouts forced a hung jury, giving Menendez a reprieve from the criminal charges for now.
He is up for re-election next year, and it is not yet clear if the government wants to pursue a retrial.
Here’s a look at some of the factors that contributed to the jury’s deadlock: