Jurors in the corruption trial of former state Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith interrupted their deliberations this morning to ask whether they could change a verdict. The jury of six men and six women had been deliberating for about an hour into their second day of discussions when they informed U.S. District Judge Jose Linares in Newark of their question....
Jurors paused deliberations today in the trial of former Hudson County Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith.Jurors in the corruption trial of former state Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith interrupted their deliberations this morning to ask whether they could change a verdict.
The jury of six men and six women had been deliberating for about an hour into their second day of discussions when they informed U.S. District Judge Jose Linares in Newark of their question. Linares told them they could change their verdict as long as the foreperson had not signed the verdict sheet. Jurors did not indicate whether they wanted to change a guilty or a not-guilty verdict.
Smith, a Hudson County Democrat, is accused of accepting $15,000 in bribes from disgraced developer Solomon Dwek in return for his assistance in expediting permits on fictitious developments in Jersey City and Bayonne. Smith, who testified in his three-week long trial, contends the money was a campaign contribution and that federal investigators pursued him even after he told Dwek he does not do favors for cash.
A one-term assemblyman, Smith was one of 46 people charged in the state's largest public corruption sting in July 2009.
He is charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, money laundering, two counts of attempted extortion and two counts of bribery.
Previous coverage:
• Jury deliberates through lunch in L. Harvey Smith corruption trial
• Former Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith awaits return to witness stand in federal corruption trial
• Ex-N.J. Assemblyman Harvey Smith testifies at own corruption trial
• Prosecution wraps up case in L. Harvey Smith corruption trial
• Government witnesses offer contradictory testimony in trial of ex-Jersey City assemblyman
• Video of Smith discussing bribes, deals and payments with federal informant shown in court
• Former housing official to be cross-examined in corruption trial of ex-Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith
