‘Paper Evidence’ Lacking in Black Trial, Jurors Say

Conrad Black was found not guilty on the majority of fraud charges against him because of the lack of “paper evidence,” one of the jurors in the case said.Tina Kadisak, who along with eight other women and three men listened to the evidence in the case for four months, claimed at the weekend that the jury became hung up on Count 5, which alleged the peer and three other defendants had personally pocketed $9 million when selling a host of Hollinger newspapers.On Tuesday, the jury sent a note to the judge saying they were deadlocked. When they were instructed to go back and discuss it further, the tension escalated.“You get tired of being in the room,” Ms. Kadisak said. “You are ready to be finished, but you’re trying to be respectful. We just kept talking and discussing and going in circles sometimes, and made sure we were thinking about the law, not personal beliefs.”Ms. Kadisak said they considered going back to the judge, but by Thursday afternoon, the minority persuaded the majority to return the not guilty verdicts.“There was nothing in particular, it was just that the evidence we had wasn’t enough to say guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” That view was echoed by Monica Prince. “There was not enough paper evidence,” she said.Black was convicted of three charges of fraud and one of obstructing justice in a Chicago court on Friday. Although cleared of racketeering and tax evasion and a number of other fraud charges he could face up to 35 years in jail when sentenced on November 30. He plans to appeal the convictions.In total, he faced 13 charges over claims he stole $60 million from investors in the newspaper firm Hollinger International, which used to own the Daily Telegraph. Prosecutors alleged that Black had personally received $3.2 million but his lawyer said that the figure was $2.9 million.The jurors added that they had found Black guilty on four counts “despite” the evidence of Black’s one time partner David Radler. “He was covering up for his buddy,” Ms. Prince claimed. “He didn’t really say much. He kept contradicting himself.”The jurors’ comments came as the American government prepares to file with the court their requests for sentencing and forfeiture. The U.S. attorney who brought the case, Patrick Fitzgerald, said that the 15-20 year sentence for Black suggested by prosecutors, would be at the “conservative” end of the range.Even though Black was found guilty of only four counts, prosecutors are also expected to press for seizure of his assets, including the $8 million proceeds from the sale of his New York apartment and his Palm Beach mansion, estimated to be worth more than $20 million but still on the market after failing to attract a buyer.Black and his wife Barbara Amiel also own a $15 million estate in Toronto, although that is beyond the reach of American courts. All of Black’s assets are controlled by a court-appointed monitor in Canada. Even his legal team has to apply to the monitor to receive its payment, estimated at more than $25 million so far.Both sides are preparing their arguments for a crucial hearing on Thursday that will decide whether or not Black will be sent to jail immediately or remain free awaiting his sentencing.

‘Paper Evidence’ Lacking in Black Trial, Jurors Say

‘Paper Evidence’ Lacking in Black Trial, Jurors Say

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