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Vicky Pryce jury discharged in Huhne speeding points case Vicky Pryce jury discharged in Huhne speeding points case
(about 2 hours later)
The jury trying ex-minister Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has failed to reach a verdict on a charge relating to speeding points she took for him 10 years ago. The jury trying Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has failed to reach a verdict on a charge relating to speeding points she took for the ex-minister 10 years ago.
Ms Pryce, 60, of Clapham, London, faces a retrial before a new jury on Monday.Ms Pryce, 60, of Clapham, London, faces a retrial before a new jury on Monday.
She denied perverting the course of justice, saying Huhne had coerced her into taking the points in 2003. She denied perverting the course of justice, saying Huhne, who pleaded guilty, had coerced her in 2003.
Huhne, 58, has admitted perverting the course of justice and resigned as Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire. The judge said some of the questions from the jury had shown a "fundamental deficit in understanding" of its role.
Huhne and Ms Pryce, an economist, were charged over an incident in March 2003 when his car was caught by a speed camera on the M11 between Stansted Airport, in Essex, and London. Assessing the questions he had been asked before discharging the Southwark Crown Court jury, Mr Justice Sweeney said: "In 30 years of criminal trials I have never come across this at this stage, never."
It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce falsely informed police that she had been the driver of the car so Huhne, then an MEP with hopes of becoming an MP, could avoid a driving ban. Earlier this month, Huhne, 58, had admitted perverting the course of justice and resigned as Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire.
Ms Pryce accepted, during her trial, that she had taken Huhne's points, but she adopted a defence of marital coercion, claiming he had made her sign a form he had already completed in her name. He and Ms Pryce, an economist, were charged over an incident in March 2003 when his car was caught by a speed camera on the M11 between Stansted Airport, in Essex, and London.
It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce falsely informed police that she had been the driver of the car so that Huhne, then an MEP with hopes of becoming an MP, could avoid a driving ban.
During her trial, Ms Pryce accepted that she had taken Huhne's points, but she adopted a defence of marital coercion, claiming he had made her sign a form he had already completed in her name.
Majority directionMajority direction
The judge, Mr Justice Sweeney, had earlier on Wednesday given the jury a majority direction, telling them he would accept a verdict on which at least 10 of the 12 jurors agreed. On Tuesday the judge, Mr Justice Sweeney told the court some of the questions being asked by the jury demonstrated a "fundamental deficit in understanding" of the trial process and its role.
It had asked 10 questions about jurors' basic duties after about 14 hours of deliberations and lengthy advice from the judge about how to assess the evidence.
The questions included seeking a definition of reaching a verdict beyond reasonable doubt - something the judge had given them in writing.
In another question, the jury asked if one of them could come to a verdict based on reasons that were not presented in court or supported by the evidence. A third question asked about Ms Pryce's religious convictions, even though this was not a matter in the trial.
On Wednesday, Mr Justice Sweeney gave them a majority direction, saying he would accept a verdict on which at least 10 of the 12 jurors agreed.
But later he received a note from them saying it was "highly unlikely" they would be able to reach a majority verdict.But later he received a note from them saying it was "highly unlikely" they would be able to reach a majority verdict.
He then told the jury: "Against the background of the length of time that you have been in retirement already, I have decided therefore, and it is my decision one way or the other, that I must discharge you from any further deliberations."He then told the jury: "Against the background of the length of time that you have been in retirement already, I have decided therefore, and it is my decision one way or the other, that I must discharge you from any further deliberations."
Ms Pryce watched with her chin in her hand as the jury were discharged having been deliberating since last week. BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was unusual for a jury to ask so many questions.
BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was unusual for a jury to ask so many questions, including one in which they had asked whether they could speculate on what had been in Ms Pryce's mind.
He said another question was: "Can a juror come to a verdict based on a reason that was not presented in court and has no facts or evidence to support it either from the prosecution or defence?"
Our correspondent said he suspected sentencing of Huhne would probably have to wait until after the retrial. Huhne could face a prison sentence.Our correspondent said he suspected sentencing of Huhne would probably have to wait until after the retrial. Huhne could face a prison sentence.
A by-election is being held in Eastleigh on 28 February to find a replacement for Huhne.A by-election is being held in Eastleigh on 28 February to find a replacement for Huhne.