More questions from jury in ironworkers case

A federal jury resumed deliberations Friday in the racketeering conspiracy trial of Philadelphia Ironworkers Union boss Joseph Dougherty but broke for the three-day weekend without a verdict.

The jury of seven women and five men returned to open court only once, to rehear two FBI wiretap tapes and get the legal definitions of three words.

The questions seemed to show the jury was once again working toward a verdict although in court several jurors made comments to each other that sounded angry.

On Thursday, the apparent refusal of one or more jurors to take part in deliberations resulted in a stern warning from U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson.

Baylson told the jurors they had each taken oaths to fairly consider evidence and apply the relevant law, adding "You must deliberate on the evidence."

On Friday, after listening to the two wiretap tapes, Baylson explained the legal definitions of attempt, intent and motive.

The questions about the first two terms refer to what often can be the thorniest issue for a jury: can a person be convicted of a crime without directly participating in its commission?

Dougherty, 73, is accused in a racketeering conspiracy in which members of Local 401 used arson, violence and intimidation against nonunion contractors.

Dougherty has pleaded not guilty and his lawyer has argued that there was no evidence the Local 401 business manager was personally involved in committing or approving any of 25 acts of vandalism, arson and extortion against nonunion contractors between 2008 and 2014.

Prosecutors have argued that the wiretap tapes prove that Dougherty hated nonunion contractors, endorsed the use of violence against them and did nothing to stop future incidents after he learned about the vandalism.

The 12 jurors began deliberating Tuesday afternoon after six days of testimony. They return to work Tuesday after the Martin Luther King holiday.

Source: Philly.com