The jury in Ted Stevens’ corruption trial has uncovered an error in one indictment, and the defense is springing at the chance, the Hill reports. Jurors sent the judge a note today questioning a discrepancy in the prosecution’s allegations regarding the senator’s 2001 financial disclosure. Where the indictment said Stevens checked “no” to a question about gifts received, he actually checked “yes.”
Stevens declared a $1,100 Special Olympics coin he received in the section pertaining to gifts over $260. However, he did not declare a pricey massage chair or a top-of-the-line grill, let alone the free renovation prosecutors allege. The defense pushed for acquittal, while the prosecution said it was just a typo. “Presumably somebody read this,” said the judge, dismissing the prosecution’s objection. (More Ted Stevens stories.)