The jury was deadlocked Thursday on most charges against fallen US political star John Edwards over his alleged illegal use of campaign funds to cover up an affair, US media said.
Amid confusing scenes at the court in Greensboro, North Carolina, a verdict was reached on one count of illegally using funds, but the jury failed to reach agreement on five other counts, CNN and Fox News reported.
The judge declared a short recess after the prosecution demanded the jury be sent back, while the defense asked to know what the verdict was on the one count and called for a mistrial to be declared on the remaining charges.
Edwards has pleaded not guilty to violating campaign finance laws by taking nearly $1 million from two wealthy donors to hide his affair with videographer Rielle Hunter.
The one count on which a verdict was reached concerned the alleged illegal use of a 2008 donation from Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, now 101, the widow of banking heir Paul Mellon, the networks reported.
Jurors have been deliberating over a two-week period in the case that has laid bare the extramarital affair that the Democratic presidential candidate embarked on during his second bid for the White House.
The disgraced politician saw his career collapse after he fathered a child with Hunter in 2007 and then lied about their affair to his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, and the public.
The 58-year-old former North Carolina senator faces up to 30 years in prison and $1.5 million in fines if convicted.
Source: AFP American Edition
