Jurors considering the case against Umer Hayat sent the court a note indicating they were deadlocked – but Judge Garland Burrell asked them to question the “correctness of their current position.” However, he noted jurors should not change their minds simply to reach a verdict. Umer Hayat is charged with lying to the F-B-I about his son’s alleged attendance at a terrorist training camp in Pakistan. His attorney, Johnny Griffin says the jury’s indecision is telling:
“If this case was in fact as clear cut and as strong as the government suggests, then the jurors would have come back with a guilty verdict long ago.”
If the jury remains deadlocked, Griffin says the judge will declare a mistrial. He says it’s up to the government whether to re-try the case or not. A separate jury is considering the case against Umer’s son, Hamid, who is charged with lying, as well as providing material support to terrorists by attending a training camp.