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Britney judge declares mistrial | Britney judge declares mistrial |
(about 23 hours later) | |
The judge in Britney Spears' trial for driving without a valid Californian licence has declared a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a verdict. | The judge in Britney Spears' trial for driving without a valid Californian licence has declared a mistrial after jurors failed to reach a verdict. |
The 26-year-old pop star was not present to hear the decision, after eight hours of deliberations. | |
The charge related to an incident in Los Angeles last August, when the pop star was photographed hitting a parked car and leaving the scene. | The charge related to an incident in Los Angeles last August, when the pop star was photographed hitting a parked car and leaving the scene. |
Prosecutors will not pursue the matter so Spears will not face a retrial. | |
After a second day of deliberation, the foreman of the jury said they had failed to reach a unanimous conclusion after three votes. | After a second day of deliberation, the foreman of the jury said they had failed to reach a unanimous conclusion after three votes. |
On Monday the jurors had said that votes were stuck at 10-2, but did not reveal which way they were leaning. | On Monday the jurors had said that votes were stuck at 10-2, but did not reveal which way they were leaning. |
Superior Court Judge James A Steele had questioned whether more could be done to encourage discussion or reach a verdict. | Superior Court Judge James A Steele had questioned whether more could be done to encourage discussion or reach a verdict. |
"I think with each return to the assembly room, everyone becomes more entrenched in their position," the foreman replied. | "I think with each return to the assembly room, everyone becomes more entrenched in their position," the foreman replied. |
'Straightforward case' | 'Straightforward case' |
There was no mention during the trial of the accident that led to the charges, as agreed by the defence and prosecution. | There was no mention during the trial of the accident that led to the charges, as agreed by the defence and prosecution. |
The omission led to the jury's other question: "Why was she stopped in the first place?" | The omission led to the jury's other question: "Why was she stopped in the first place?" |
During the trial, the prosecution had said it was "a straightforward case" - the singer's address was listed as Beverley Hills so she should have a Californian driving licence. | During the trial, the prosecution had said it was "a straightforward case" - the singer's address was listed as Beverley Hills so she should have a Californian driving licence. |
Ms Spears' lawyer, J Michael Flanagan, told the jury during the defence that there was no dispute she had been driving but said that, at the time, she had a valid Louisiana driving licence. | Ms Spears' lawyer, J Michael Flanagan, told the jury during the defence that there was no dispute she had been driving but said that, at the time, she had a valid Louisiana driving licence. |
He argued that Ms Spears did not need a Californian driving licence because she was only a temporary resident of Los Angeles. | He argued that Ms Spears did not need a Californian driving licence because she was only a temporary resident of Los Angeles. |
Mr Flanagan rejected a plea deal which would have resulted in a $150 (£85) fine saying Ms Spears did not want a criminal record. | Mr Flanagan rejected a plea deal which would have resulted in a $150 (£85) fine saying Ms Spears did not want a criminal record. |
She had faced up to six months in jail and a fine if convicted, but this was considered unlikely as she had no previous convictions. | She had faced up to six months in jail and a fine if convicted, but this was considered unlikely as she had no previous convictions. |
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