Day of Drama, Suspense in RI Lead Paint Jury Deliberations

Around noon today in the Rhode Island (RI) lead paint trial the word went out for all interested parties to get back to Court Room 11.  The importance of what was going on became obvious as the lawyers from both sides met in chambers with Judge Michael Silverstein at least twice and had corridor conferences with their teams.

At about 1:00 PM we in the peanut gallery found out what the big development was.  The jury re-entered the court room, with the foreperson looking frustrated and anxious.  Judge Silverstein read a note from the foreperson to the court that the jury was deadlocked on charge one, that is, the alleged public nuisance in the state of RI.

Judge Silverstein then asked the foreperson if more time would help.  The foreperson said that he would poll the jury back in the jury room about this.  That was about 1:20 PM.  At about 1:30 PM the court was notified that the jury had decided to keep talking.

We interested parties  in Court Room 11 are online and on our cell phones giving our takes to other interested parties.  Among the media here are Bloomberg, PROVIDENCE JOURNAL and AP.  A photographer appeared, then disappeared.  Among the financial firms are those from Wall Street and the midwest.  There are others in attendance who have kept their identity and affliations under wraps.