Jury deliberations continue in extortion case involving Louisville basketball coach Pitino

Jury continues weighing Pitino extortion case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jury deliberations are rolling past midday in the case of a Kentucky woman accused of demanding millions from Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino to keep quiet about their sexual tryst.

Karen Cunagin Sypher has pleaded not guilty to extortion and other charges. The 50-year-old woman could face up to 26 years in prison if convicted, though under sentencing guidelines she would likely receive a lighter punishment.

A panel of six men and six women started deliberations Wednesday afternoon and resumed at 9:30 a.m. EDT Thursday.

Sypher did not testify in her own defense, and her attorneys rested their case without calling any witnesses. They have blamed the extortion plot on her ex-husband.