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Jurors in Roberto case to continue deliberations on Monday
With still no verdict yesterday, the 12 jurors in the case against Raymond B. Roberto will resume their deliberations on Monday.
U.S. District Court for the NMI designated judge David A. Wiseman recessed the jurors at 4:47pm yesterday and ordered them to rreturn on Monday at 8am to resume their deliberations.
Wiseman was assigned to the case yesterday as U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, who presided over the trial, is off-island, Saipan Tribune learned.
Before excusing the jurors, Wiseman gave instructions to the jurors and read them a portion of the final jury instructions.
At 2:24pm yesterday, the jurors, through their foreperson, sent a note to the judge requesting a dictionary, whiteboard, and markers. The jurors also requested a refill of their water dispenser.
Wiseman later wrote back on the note that consulting with dictionaries is not permitted. The judge asked the jurors to look at a portion of the final jury instructions.
After receiving the jury’s note, Wiseman had a discussion with Assistant U.S. Attorney Rami S. Badawy and Roberto’s counsel, Joaquin Torres.
The jurors began deliberating on Monday afternoon.
Roberto, 41, is a former acting director of the Division of Fish and Wildlife. He is on trial on charges of enticing three minors to engage in prostitution and one count of witness tampering.
