Business

Jury heads into holiday without verdict in ex-coal CEO trial

Posted November 24, 2015 6:00 am

The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Jurors are heading into a holiday break without a verdict in the trial of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.

The jury deliberated for a fifth full day in U.S. District Court in Charleston, West Virginia. They won't return until Monday because of Thanksgiving.

Blankenship is charged with conspiring to break safety laws and defrauding mine regulators at West Virginia's Upper Big Branch Mine, and lying to financial regulators and investors about safety. The coal mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.

Prosecutors contended that Blankenship was a micromanager who meddled in the smallest details at the mine, and cared more about money than safety.

Blankenship's defense team said the government offered no evidence he was involved in a conspiracy.

Deliberations began the evening of Nov. 17.

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