Jury split in fourth Gotti trial

NEW YORK – A judge declared a mistrial Tuesday at the racketeering trial of John “Junior” Gotti after a jury failed to reach a verdict against the son of the notorious Gambino crime family mob boss – the case’s fourth hung jury in five years.

The anonymous jurors deliberated 11 days before notifying the judge they were hopelessly deadlocked over racketeering conspiracy and murder charges. Prosecutors accused Gotti of ordering gangland hits to settle scores and of secretly pocketing drug money despite insisting he’d gone straight.

U.S. District Judge Kevin P. Castel freed Gotti – behind bars for more than a year – on $2 million bond while the government decides whether to seek a fifth trial.

About three hours later, a smiling Gotti walked out of Manhattan federal court and told a crush of reporters that he was looking forward to spending time with his children.

He also thanked the jury for keeping an open mind despite mob lore – “a hard thing to do.”

Afterward, some jurors said they were evenly split throughout their deliberations on all counts.