Republished November 08, 2017 - 2:05 PM
Original Publication Date November 08, 2017 - 12:46 PM
NEWARK, N.J. - The Latest on jury deliberations in the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez and a wealthy friend (all times local):
4:50 p.m.
U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez says he's convinced he'll be exonerated of bribery and fraud charges.
Jurors finished their second full day of deliberations in Newark on Wednesday without a verdict.
Outside the courthouse, the New Jersey Democrat said he feels he'll be acquitted based on the evidence the jury has heard, and that "will be worth waiting for."
He's charged with accepting gifts from a wealthy friend in exchange for using his political influence. He's also charged with making false statements for not reporting the gifts on Senate disclosure forms.
The trial is in its 10th week.
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3:30 p.m.
Jurors haven't reached a verdict after their second full day of deliberations in the bribery trial of Sen. Bob Menendez.
The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting gifts from a wealthy friend in exchange for using his political influence. Deliberations began late Monday afternoon.
A juror who had a pre-existing scheduling conflict could be excused if the jury doesn't reach a verdict by the end of Thursday.
In that case, an alternate would replace her and deliberations would start over.
Jurors didn't send any evidence-related questions to the judge Wednesday, but asked to be excused an hour early to avoid traffic in Newark.
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11 a.m.
The New Jersey Democrat is charged with accepting gifts from a wealthy friend in exchange for using his political influence.
The balance of the Senate could be affected if Menendez is convicted and then voted out by a two-thirds majority.
Though Democrat Phil Murphy was elected New Jersey governor Tuesday, incumbent Republican Chris Christie can name a replacement until he leaves office in January.
If jurors don't reach a verdict by Thursday evening, the judge says he'll excuse a juror who has a scheduled vacation beginning Monday and replace her with an alternate. The panel would then start over.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017