Mob trial jurors report “impasse” in deliberations

Jurors in the Philadelphia mob racketeering trial today reported an "impasse" in deliberations, but the judge ordered them to keep talking.

"Take as much time as you need," U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno told the panel of eight men and four women this afternoon, on their 18th day of deliberations. "There is no particular hurry."

The note marked the first time since jurors got the case on Jan. 8 that they revealed a disagreement on verdicts against reputed mob boss Joseph "Uncle Joe" Ligambi and six others. It also came on the first day that the judge ordered them to report for weekend deliberations.

It was unclear if the panel agreed on any of the 52 counts in the indictment.

"Whether or not it's for all defendants or all counts, we don't know," Christoper Warren, the lawyer for alleged captain Joseph "Scoops" Licata, told Robreno. "I don't think we can ask at this point."

The judge agreed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Labor argued that an "impasse" did not mean a deadlock, and he renewed his request to give the jurors a copy of the indictment to use as a roadmap.

Warren objected, noting that the indictment was the government's one-sided interpretation of the evidence, not the evidence itself, and the defense had no such roadmap.

"It would be blatantly unfair," Warren said.

Robreno had previously denied such a request and did so again.

The jurors are expected to keep deliberating until 3 p.m., and could return again Sunday.

The jury now considering the case is not the same one that first began weighing the evidence. Two jurors have been dismissed in recent weeks and replaced with alternates; each time, the judge ordered the reconstituted jury to restart deliberations from the beginning.

The 10-week trial showcased evidence from a decade-long FBI investigation that included nearly 15,000 secret recordings made by informants and cooperators.

Defense lawyers claim the charges are flimsy accusations built on claims by admitted criminals and turncoats trying to avoid prison.

On trial with Ligambi are his reputed underboss, Joseph "Mousie" Massimino; his nephew and onetime reputed consigliere, George "Georgie" Borgesi; alleged captains Anthony "Ant" Staino and Joseph "Scoops" Licata; reputed solider Damion "Dame" Canalichio, and, associate Gary Battaglini.

All but Staino and Battaglini have been jailed without bail since their indictments.