For the second time in five days the jury in John “Junior” Gotti’s racketeering trial has declared itself deadlocked. And once again Judge Kevin Castel told them to get back to work. After the jury delivered a note to the judge saying it was “unable to reach a unanimous verdict,” Gotti’s lawyers asked for a mistrial. As Gotti blew a kiss to his supporters Castel denied the request and reminded the jury that even if this trial ends in Gotti’s fourth mistrial, there will likely be a fifth trial. “This trial has been conducted at considerable expense and human effort to both the government and the defendant,” he said. “If your deliberations do not end in a verdict, in all likelihood it would have to be tried again before another jury.” [NYP]
