Mistrial Is Declared in Hornsby Case

Jury Doesn't Reach Verdict on Bribery Charges Against Pr. George's Schools Ex-Chief

Andre J. Hornsby, 54, is accused of steering contracts for personal gain. (By Preston Keres -- The Washington Post)

A federal jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on any of the 16 criminal charges against former Prince George's County schools chief Andre J. Hornsby, prompting a judge to declare a mistrial yesterday after seven days of deliberations.

In interviews, members of the jury said two or three colleagues consistently voted for acquittal on each of the counts against Hornsby, 54, accused of accepting bribes and steering contracts to associates. A spokeswoman for Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said prosecutors intend to retry Hornsby as soon as possible.

During the six-week trial, the jury saw a videotape of Hornsby pocketing $1,000 from a contractor and heard testimony from a former live-in girlfriend, who said she split a $20,000 commission with him after he gave her company a contract worth nearly $1 million.

A jury member who voted to acquit Hornsby said she did not believe the testimony of Sienna Owens, who was Hornsby's girlfriend at the time and a sales representative for an educational technology firm.

Skeptical jurors also questioned why FBI informant Cynthia Joffrion, a longtime business associate seen giving Hornsby money in the videotape, was not called to testify, jury members said.

Three jurors who said they believed Hornsby was guilty emerged from the courthouse frustrated.

"I thought the prosecution put on a great case. They proved he was guilty," said Darren Blumberg, 33. "I think some people chose to turn their backs on crimes. I think we let down the citizens of Prince George's County, of Maryland and of the United States."

Blumberg said some jurors thought the charges against Hornsby, which included allegations of steering contracts, pocketing kickbacks, obstructing justice and tampering with witnesses, were not serious.

"They think he should be slapped on the wrist," Blumberg said. Blumberg and two other jurors who were convinced of Hornsby's guilt, Ellen White and a man who declined to be identified, said he should face another trial.

But juror Lavonia Connelly, 43, of Waldorf, said she voted not guilty on some counts because she thought the government had failed to make its case.

"There was no smoking gun," Connelly said. "There were more questions than answers. I think [the government] overreached. They left a lot for us to infer."

The deadlock enraged Judy Mickens-Murray, the only school board member to oppose Hornsby's hiring.