Mistrial a setback in Detroit corruption case

By Corey Williams Associated Press Writer DETROIT (AP) -- A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the federal corruption case against Detroit political consultant Sam Riddle after an impasse by jurors, who described deliberations as tinged with racial tension they blamed on a lone holdout. Riddle, who is black, was charged with teaming up with his former boss, Monica Conyers, to extort bribes from people in 2006 and 2007. Conyers was a member of the Detroit City Council until she pleaded guilty to conspiracy and resigned last summer. The government says the pair shook down people for cash in exchange for favors. U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn stepped in on the sixth day of deliberations, declaring a mistrial and sending the jury home. Despite Cohn advising them not to discuss the case, several jurors vented their frustrations to reporters that the lone black woman on the 12-person panel continually injected race into their talks. "If you can't find this man guilty, you can't find anyone guilty," Margaret Elyakin declared on the steps of the federal courthouse. "Unfortunately, it came down to race. This is very disappointing." Federal prosecutors said they would retry Riddle. "Getting a unanimous verdict from a jury is difficult," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said. "We accept the results of the jury system and we will try again." Several jurors described a jury room bordering on mayhem. Matt Lefevre said there was screaming during deliberations. "She wouldn't sit at the table half the time," he said of the holdout juror. At one point, the woman sarcastically said, "Let's hang the black man," according to another juror, Jay Gandhi. Gandi said she thought the holdout was going to hit her with a folder. The holdout, who walked outside with the other jurors, declined to give her name. She said Riddle's trial was "interesting" but otherwise refused to comment. Before the start of his trial, the glib Riddle told reporters he had done nothing wrong. Riddle, who was Conyers' top aide, also noted he was a private contractor, not an elected official. He appeared relieved when speaking with reporters following Cohn's ruling. "The American system of justice worked and we proceed with round two," Riddle said before leaving court with his two sons. McQuade declined to say whether the government would prosecute him on the same charges. Riddle's defense attorneys declined to comment, citing a judge-imposed gag order. The mistrial is a rare setback in the government's investigation of corruption associated with Detroit City Hall. Sentencing is scheduled for next month for Conyers, the wife of Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers. She pleaded guilty in June to bribery charges and admitted taking cash from Houston-based Synagro Technologies, Inc., in exchange for her vote on a $47 million sludge-treatment contract. Riddle was charged with getting cash to Conyers for her Synagro vote. Conyers faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Besides Conyers, at least eight other people have been convicted, all in plea deals with the government. They include two former directors of the downtown convention center, Synagro's Michigan representative and two brothers who were top aides to Kwame Kilpatrick before he resigned as mayor in 2008. In addition to a retrial in the Detroit case, Riddle is scheduled to go to trial on June 1 on accusations that he bribed a city councilman in the suburb of Southfield over the relocation of a pawn shop. He has pleaded not guilty. ---------- Associated Press Writer Jim Irwin contributed to this report. Published: Fri, Feb 19, 2010

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