[Omah]

Vicky Pryce jury discharged in Huhne speeding points case
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21516473

The jury trying Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has failed to reach a verdict on a charge relating to speeding points she took for the ex-minister 10 years ago.

Ms Pryce, 60, of Clapham, London, faces a retrial before a new jury on Monday.

The judge said some of the questions from the jury had shown a "fundamental deficit in understanding" of its role.

Mr Justice Sweeney was speaking after a list of 10 questions was sent to him by the jury on Tuesday as its deliberations continued at Southwark Crown Court.

Speaking in court later on the same day in the jury's absence, the judge said: "In 30 years of criminal trials I have never come across this at this stage, never."

He also criticised the jury's lack of understanding of the trial process.

The jury had asked the judge questions about its basic duties after about 14 hours of deliberations and lengthy advice from him about how to assess the evidence.

The questions included seeking a definition of reaching a verdict "beyond reasonable doubt" - something the judge had given them in writing.

In another question, the jury asked if one of them could come to a verdict based on reasons that were not presented in court or supported by the evidence. A third question asked about Ms Pryce's religious convictions, even though this was not a matter in the trial.

Blimey, the IQ of some of the jury members must have been well below 80 .....