Mistrial Declared in Muslim Charity Case Judge Declares Mistrial for Most
Defendants in Muslim Charity Trial By DAVID KOENIG The Associated Press
DALLAS
A judge declared a mistrial Monday for most former leaders of a Muslim
charity accused of funding terrorism, after chaos broke out in the court when
three jurors disputed the verdict that had been announced.
One of the defendants, former Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development
Chairman Mohammed El-Mezain, was acquitted of most charges.
The outcome came about an hour after a confusing scene in the courtroom, in
which three former leaders of the group were initially found not guilty. But
then when jurors were polled, three of them said those verdicts were read
incorrectly.
Judge Joe A. Fish sent the jury back to resolve the differences, but after
about an hour, Fish said he received a note from the jury saying 11 of 12 felt
further deliberations will not lead them to reach a unanimous decision.
The jury forewoman said she was surprised by the three jurors' actions.
"When we voted, there was no issue in the vote," she said. "No one spoke up
any different. I really don't understand where it is coming from."
In all, five former Holy Land leaders and the group were accused of providing
aid to the Middle Eastern militant group Hamas. The U.S. government designated
Hamas a terrorist group in 1995 and again in 1997, making financial
transactions with the group illegal.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's
earlier story is below.
DALLAS (AP) A judge declared a mistrial Monday for most former leaders of a
Muslim charity accused of funding terrorism, after chaos broke out in the court
when three jurors disputed the verdict that had been announced.
One of the defendants, former Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development
Chairman Mohammed El-Mezain, was acquitted of most charges.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may
not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3760351
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