Senator Bob Menendez’s federal trial has ended in a mistrial. After seven days of deliberation, the jury could not reach a consensus on any of the 12 charges brought against Menendez, leading Judge William Walls to declare a hung jury. The Democratic senator was indicted for corruption charges in 2015 in relation to his connections with a Florida doctor. He has been on trial at the federal district court in Newark since September.
Sen. Bob Menendez becomes emotional while thanking his family after mistrial was declared in his corruption trial. https://t.co/xUiwEtD8V9 pic.twitter.com/AA6Ed3kSVP
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) November 16, 2017
Had Menendez been convicted and called to resign, an interim-senator would have been selected by Republican Governor Chris Christie, likely increasing the GOP’s Senate majority. Prosecutors have not indicated whether or not they plan to retry the case against Menendez.
After the news of Menendez’ mistrial broke, Governor-elect Phil Murphy released a statement: “Senator Menendez is a strong voice for New Jersey, and I look forward to working with him to stand up for our people against President Trump’s disastrous tax hike and further efforts to kill the Affordable Care Act. Should he decide to seek reelection [in November 2018], he will have my full support.”
Menendez: “To those of you who were digging my political grave so you could jump into my seat, I know who you are and I won’t forget you.”
— Nick Corasaniti (@NYTnickc) November 16, 2017
Neither Christie nor Senator Cory Booker, who testified on behalf of the defense in September, have released statements at press time.