ABC27 WHTM No verdict yet on DeWeese trial

No verdict yet on DeWeese trial

A judge accused of illegally using legislative employees for political campaigning and fundraising will have a few more days to ponder his fate. There was no verdict on Bill DeWeese this week, but the jury had another question for the judge.

The jury was back at the courthouse 8:30 Friday morning and deliberated all day. Friday afternoon they asked the judge if they could have copies of specific pages of DeWeese's grand jury testimony.

The jury had asked for the entire grand jury testimony yesterday and the judge denied that request, which he did again today. That's because the grand jury testimony was already entered into record during the trial, and under criminal procedure the judge is not permitted to give them a copy. It appears there may be something in that testimony that is a sticking point for the jurors.

"We're not disheartened at all," said defense attorney Bill Costopolous. "If anything, this jury is paying very close attention to all of the evidence that was presented for the past two weeks and that's all you can ask for and it's asking for a lot."

DeWeese is facing theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest charges. The jury will be back at the courthouse 8:30 Monday morning to continue deliberations.