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Jurors Begin Third Day of Deliberations in DeLay Trial

Travis County Assistant District Attorney Gary Cobb
Photo by Matt Largey/KUT News
Travis County Assistant District Attorney Gary Cobb spoke to reporters after jurors wrapped their second day of deliberations on November 23, 2010.

Updated at 11:50am: Jurors have asked yet another question, this time about the language of the conspiracy charge against Tom DeLay.  Jurors wanted to know if DeLay had to agree to both parts of the alleged conspiracy -- both sending corporate money to the Republican National Committee and sending an equal amount of money back to Texas legislative candidates -- to be found guilty of conspiracy. 

The judge advised jurors that there could be no conspiracy if there were not an agreement to both parts, and to be found guilty, Tom DeLay would have had to agree to both parts of the conspiracy, if there was one.

The judge also announced there would be no verdict until at least 1 p.m.

Earlier: Jurors are beginning a third day of deliberations in the money laundering trial of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

The jury submitted several questions to the judge yesterday, including requests to review some pieces of evidence.  They also asked for the definition of "money fraud", a crime DeLay is not charged with.  That prompted state District Judge Pat Priest to warn jurors to focus on the charges they were presented with. 

By 4:45pm Tuesday, jurors told the judge they were making progress, but they wanted to head home. 

DeLay is charged conspiracy to illegally funnel $190,000 in corporate donations to seven candidates for the Texas legislature. Texas candidates are barred by state law from receiving corporate donations directly or indirectly.

Matt Largey is the Projects Editor at KUT. That means doing a little bit of everything: editing reporters, producing podcasts, reporting, training, producing live events and always being on the lookout for things that make his ears perk up. Got a tip? Email him at mlargey@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @mattlargey.
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