Judge Tracie Hunter found guilty on one count
The jury could not reach a verpatagonia outlet store ellenton0dict on eight of the nine counts, but found Hunter guilty on onepatagonia mens fleece jacket count of having an unlawfpatagonia outlet store ellenton1ul interest in a public contract.
Watch tpatagonia better sweater birchhis story
Hunter was originally charged with nine felonies: two counts of tampering with evidence, two counts of forgery, two counts of theft in office, misuse of a credit card and two counts of having an unlawful interest in a public contract. She faced up to 13 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
The jury reached the single verdict Friday, but the verdict was sealed until Tuesday.
Watch: Verdict read in Tracie Hunter trial Judge Nadel discusses sentencing in case
In court Tuesday, the single verdict was read and the jury announced it was deadlocked on all other counts.
Defense attorney Clyde Bennett told reporters that he respected the jury s decision, but he would appeal the patagonia outlet store ellenton2verdict.
I m hurt. I m stunned. I m shocked, Bennett said.
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Hunter s supporters sang To God Be the Glory as she walked to the elevator to exit the courthouse. It took her an hour to get to court, Bennett said, because of traffic and the weather.
She s not a criminal. All of us may do things that we could have done a little differently but (Tuesday) she was called by Judge Nadel a criminal, a convicted felon and that I totally disagree with. She is not a felon, Bishop Bobby Hilton said.
Read previous stories from throughout the trial
Jurors received the case last patagonia outlet shopWednesday and deliberated for 15 hours total. They voted to take Monday off in observance of Columbus Day.
The jury heard testimony from 21 witnesses and about 400 evidence exhibits to help them determine Hunter s case.
The case dragged on for six weeks in Judge Norbert Nadel s courtroom.
The jury was comprised of 10 women and twpatagonia river master ii vest reviewo men. After beginning with six alternate jurors, two remained through the end of the case.
Three of the jurors are African American.
Nadel told Hunter that her legal career was likely in jeopardypatagonia portland oregon new homes after the verdict was read. He said the Ohio Supreme Court would investigate ethics violations raised during the case.
Hunter has been suspended with pay since she was indicted. The Ohio Supreme Court wipatagonia outlet store ellentonll suspend Hunter without pay after it reviews her conviction.
Closing arguments in the trial took two and a half days. Bennett and special prosecutor Scott Croswell appeared in court Tuesday morning as Nadel answered three jury questions.
Jurors asked for testimony from Juvenile Court Finance Director Steve Rokich and Assistant Hamilton County Public Defender Margie Slagle to be re read. Nadel said he would not allow that and the jury needed to rely on its collective memory to recall the testimony it asked about.
Nadel scheduled Hunter s sentencing for Dec. The conviction usually carries a probation sentence ranging from six to 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000. Howevepatagonia discount code 24studior, after the verdict was read Nadel said because Hunter is a public official she is held to a higher standard and her sentence could include jail time.
The evidence in this case shows the conduct of Judge Hunter has really dealt a serious blow to public confidence in our system of justice, Nadpatagonia everlong review subaruel said.
In his closing argument Croswell said he would be the last one to ask for jail time for Hunter if she was convicted. Nadel said Tuesday that he would take that into consideration.
Bennett previously argued patagonia outlet store ellenton3that the charge Hunter was convicted of should not have been considered by the jury because it contained the wrong statute language. He asked Nadel to dismiss the count when the state rested its case.
The law was having an unlawful interest in a public contract, meaning that you re trying to buy or secure a public contrapatagonia guide jacket 1960's fashionct for your brother. This was a termination proceeding, so I think they were misguided and didn t understand what the law was, Bennett said.
Prosecutors will have to decide by Dec. 2 if they will retry Hunter on the other eight counts in the indictment. They declined to comment Tuesday.
Ohio s Supreme Court suspended Hunter with pay after she was indicted in January. With a felony conviction, her suspension becomes unpatagonia hiking shoes onlinepaid.
The state s high court is expected to begin proceedings that could ultimately lead to the end of her legal career.
