SHREVEPORT — The federal tax evasion case against former state Sen. Charles Jones had to wait two and a half years before coming to trial. After five days of evidence and testimony the case went to the jury Wednesday afternoon. More than eight hours of deliberations later, the jurors could provide the court with just one conclusion: A Jones' verdict will have to wait at least another two months.
U.S. District Court Judge Robbie James declared a mistrial around 3:20 p.m. Thursday, shortly after the 12 jurors made it clear for a second time they remained mired in deadlock. Jones' defense attorney, Mike Small of Alexandria, said a new trial would be set for Aug. 16 in Shreveport.
"We obviously were hoping for an acquittal, but a mistrial certainly beats a sharp stick in the eye," Small said.
