Anxiety set in as the jury was unable to reach a verdict today (Dec. 1) in day eight of the Murder Inc. money laundering trial. After nearly seven hours of deliberation, the 14 jurors asked to review several documents related to the case.
Prior to the deliberation, Judge Edward Korman read instructions to the jury, who must decide whether Murder Inc. founders Irv and Chris Lorenzo laundered money from drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff through the label.
Approximately three hours into the deliberation, the jury requested to analyze the testimonies of Donell Nichols and Jon Ragin as well as the back-up documents of the deposits made into some of the Inc.’s bank accounts. The two parties also discussed an issue concerning jurors mixing up their respective seats.
Judge Korman briefly resurfaced and consulted with a jury expert about the parties potentially submitting another summation. The expert then confirmed that the defense and prosecution could each be allowed to submit one last summation.
Nearly five hours into deliberation, the jury requested additional documents, including detective Anthony Castiglia’s testimony, stipulations and the evidence found under Chris’ desk at the Murder Inc. office. The defense then gathered in front of a computer to speculate on why jurors were asking the questions.
Ja Rule, producer 7 Aurelius and Inc. artists Lloyd and Cadillac Tah all made appearances to show support.
The day concluded with a clerk revealing that the jury asked for yet more documents, but specifics were not revealed. The court then recessed until tomorrow morning.
Meet the Murder Inc trial players, read back stories, review case filings and comment at SOHH.com.
