Thứ Tư, 20 tháng 2, 2013

Jury discharged in Pryce points case

Vicky PryceVicky Pryce says she was coerced by her then husband into breaking the law

The jury in the trial of ex-minister Chris Huhne's former wife Vicky Pryce has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict.

Ms Pryce, 60, from Clapham, London, was accused of perverting the course of justice by taking the former energy secretary's speeding points in 2003.

She denied the charge, saying he had coerced her into taking the points.

Huhne, 58, has admitted perverting the course of justice and resigned as Lib Dem MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire.

Ms Pryce will face a retrial, which could be as early as next week.

Ms Pryce's barrister Julian Knowles QC told the court she was suffering from high blood pressure, due to stress.

BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was unusual for a jury to ask so many questions, including one in which they had asked whether they could speculate on what had been in Ms Pryce's mind.

He said another question was: "Can a juror come to a verdict based on a reason that was not presented in court and has no facts or evidence to support it either from the prosecution or defence?"

Our correspondent said he suspected sentencing of Huhne would probably have to wait until after the retrial.

Huhne could face a prison sentence.

A by-election is being held in Eastleigh on 28 February to find a replacement for Huhne.


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