Mistrial Declared in Corruption Case of Cuomo, Hochul Aide Linda Sun
Deadlocked jury: “Your honor, after extensive deliberations and re-deliberations the jury remains unable to reach a unanimous verdict.”
Ugh, holidays distracted me.
U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan declared a mistrial in the corruption case of Linda Sun, a former top aide to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and current Gov. Kathy Hochul, and her husband, Chris Hu, after the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict.
The government accused Sun of working as a Chinese agent, accepting kickbacks and gifts in exchange for influence in the New York government.
I’ve been covering her trial:
- NY Gov. Hochul’s Former Top Aide Charged for Acting as Chinese Agent
- Trial Starts for Former Top Aide to Hochul, Cuomo Accused of Being Secret Agent for China
- Hochul Aide Allegedly Forged Her Signature on Invites for Chinese Dignitaries
- Alleged Chinese Agent Linda Sun’s, Aide to Hochul and Cuomo, Lavish Lifestyle Revealed
- Alleged Chinese Spy Linda Sun Said Hochul was ‘Much More Obedient’ Than Cuomo
U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan declared a mistrial after the jury sent a note saying, “Your honor, after extensive deliberations and re-deliberations the jury remains unable to reach a unanimous verdict. The jurors positions are firmly held.”
Judge Cogan called in the jury and asked the foreman whether jurors had reached a decision on any count. The foreman replied that they were deadlocked on all 19 counts.
Prosecutor Alexander Solomon told the judge that the government wants to retry the case “as soon as possible.” A status conference is scheduled for January 26.
A juror told The New York Post that two jurors wouldn’t “find Sun and her husband Chris Hu guilty of 18 out of the 19 corruption and fraud charges they faced.”
One juror held out on the 19th count.
The prosecutors claimed Sun “blocked representatives of the Taiwanese government from meeting with high-ranking New York State government officials.”
Sun also allegedly forged Hochul’s signature on invites for Chinese officials to visit New York.
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
After 23 years as a trial lawyer, I will offer my opinion (with sarcasm):
1 – poor prosecutors; and/or
2 – moron jurors.
Given the overall state of civics education in America, choice #2 seems to be the most likely.
Just a foretaste of things to come as DC jurors happily deadlock on any prosecutions pointed at political Dems, and Somali jurors set free the multi-billion dollar grifters who have been plowing their ill-gotten gains into their communities (and various terrorist groups)
Or was someone influenced to throw the case? This case is highly politically charged and it’s New York, so ruling out corruption is unrealistic.
Given the one or two holdouts and the lengths China will go … it’s a distinct possibility
Not necessarily moron jurors but very likely jurors with an agenda.
or
3 – corrupt or biased jurors
Since the CCP is involved, they could have maneuvered to get a CCP toady or two onto the jury.
My opinion on why the hung jury
3 – At least 1 juror will not find a democrat operative guilty of anything, At one other juror will not find a democrat operative guilty of anything serious.
Unfortunately, the jury pool is such that it will be near impossible to have 12 impartial jurors on the panel
How about juror immigrated to the US from China?
Or both.
A-hole jurors.
It sounds like normal politics to me.
Whether it’s from China or Somalia, this system seems set up to sweep fraud under the rug and ensure none of the people who rob you are held accountable.
You really do have to do it yourself.
Does anyone really expect our criminal justice system to a) punish any Democrat politicians who work for hostile foreign intelligence agencies, or b) punish the foreign nationals who are agents of those intelligence agencies? If you do, there is a bridge in Mamdani -run New York City that probably is for sale.
Subotai Bahadur
I’m going with someone influencing at least 2 jurors. Money or perks offered to just refuse to convict. Otherwise, incredibly poor prosecutors to allow people with a pre-disposed opinion on the jury.
The rot goes far and deep.
I’m so old I remember when Democrat administrations threatened suspected right-wing jury nullifiers on firearms cases with Dire Personal Consequences.
juror notes found on the floor:
but give me trump and littering and I’ll send him up for 30 years
Re-try these SOBs.
Democrats no longer believe in law and facts.
A significant number of Democrats will simply not convict another Democrat of ANYTHING involving fraud, bribery, or corruption.
Some turnout, a hundred grand /
Get with it, we’ll shake his hand /
Don’t bother to understand /
Don’t question the little man /
Be part of the brotherhood /
Yes it’s chain lightning — it feels so good…
–STEELY DAN