3 Aug 2009

Field jury retires after third day of deliberations

5:35 pm on 3 August 2009

The jury in the trial of former MP Taito Phillip Field retired for a third evening on Monday, after indicating earlier that jurors were facing difficulties.

The 10 jurors returned to court before midday on Monday asking how to proceed if a unanimous decision for a charge could not be reached.

Mr Field denies 12 charges of bribery and corruption as a Member of Parliament and 23 charges of attempting to pervert or obstruct the course of justice.

The jurors began deliberating at 12.30pm on Thursday and continued on Friday. They adjourned over the weekend.

On Monday, Justice Hansen told jurors their strategy of moving on to other charges to later return to those causing problems was sensible and practical.

The jury's verdicts must be unanimous, because a recent law change allowing a dissenting voice came into effect after the trial started.

Jurors will resume deliberations on Tuesday morning.

The trial is now in its 16th week.