Mistrial denied in Stanford shredding case as jury struggles to reach verdict for 2 men
By APFriday, February 12, 2010
Mistrial denied in Stanford shredding case
MIAMI — A federal judge has refused to grant a mistrial despite signs that a Miami jury is struggling to reach a verdict in the Stanford document shredding case.
Defense attorneys sought the mistrial Friday after jurors indicated confusion about the law in a note to the judge. The jury is deliberating a second day in the case of Thomas Raffanello and Bruce Perraud, two former employees of fallen financier Allen Stanford accused of illegally shredding company documents.
They face up to 50 years in prison if convicted. Defense attorneys claim all the shredded files were duplicated on computer.
Raffanello formerly headed Miami’s Drug Enforcement Administration office.
Stanford is awaiting trial for allegedly operating a $7 billion Ponzi scheme.
