Whitewater Jury Lauded, Sent Home For Weekend

The judge in the Whitewater trial here abruptly sent jurors home Friday for the weekend, commending them for their hard work and for praying at the beginning and end of their daily deliberations.

Amid rising speculation that the nine women and three men are deadlocked on one or more charges, U.S. District Judge George Howard Jr. was effusive in his praise for jury’s past week of work.

The defendants, Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker and President Clinton’s former business partners in the Whitewater real estate venture, are accused of a complex loan-swapping scheme.

“I’m highly proud of your performance, you’re an excellent jury,” Howard said, prompting tears from one of the jurors. “You’re giving your time and this is what has made this country great. I’m proud of you.”

Howard also commended jurors for starting and finishing each day in the jury room with prayer “to ask God almighty for assistance.”

The jury has been meeting at the federal courthouse until about 5 p.m. every day, and Howard’s decision to recess early startled defense lawyers, who were already nervous about the amount of time the jury was taking.