Naked Harem case ends in mistrial: Lone juror holds out against conviction
By Adriana M. Chávez / El Paso Times
Posted: 06/23/2009 12:00:00 AM MDT
EL PASO -- Jeannie Coutta, described by prosecutors as madam who ran a prostitution business in her strip club, went free Monday after a jury could not reach a unanimous verdict in her trial.
Judge David Guaderrama, of the 243rd District Court, granted defense attorney Gary Hill's motion for a mistrial. Jurors had sent a handwritten note to Guaderrama saying they could not agree on a verdict in the case against Coutta, co-owner of the old Naked Harem at 6345 Alameda.
"Anytime you walk out of here without a conviction, it's a victory," Hill said after the jurors were dismissed.
Jurors sent word Monday morning that they were deadlocked 11-1 for conviction. By 3 p.m., they sent another note to Guaderrama saying that nothing had changed.
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