Jurors are set to continue deliberations Thursday in the trial of senior public officer Geoffry Ebanks as they did not reach a verdict by end of day Wednesday on charges of breach of trust and conflict of interest.
The panel of six women and one man was sent home at 4:30pm on Wednesday.
“We are going to need more time,” stated a note from the jury which was read out by Judge Cheryll Richards, who agreed to the request.
Ebanks, 46, of North Side, is on trial over allegations that he used his position as chairman of the board of the National Housing Development Trust to divert 60 truckloads of fill and compost material that was destined for non-profit Beacon Farms, to properties in which he has a vested interest.
Prior to the jurors starting their deliberations, Richards set out a ‘route to verdict’ document, with a series of questions to assist the jury on how to arrive at their decision.
Some of the questions included whether Ebanks was serving in the post of a public officer at the time of the alleged offence and, if so, did he make a relevant decision that was a conflict of interest; and did he understand it was a conflict of interest.
The jury was told that if their answer to any of the questions was no, they were to acquit Ebanks.
Ultimately, the jurors are required to consider that, if an offence occurred, was it so serious that it departed from standard conduct that could have been expected by a person serving in public office.
After failing to reach a verdict, Richards sent them home, with instructions to return to court at 10am Thursday.
Ebanks, who denies any wrongdoing, remains on bail.
Related Videos
