Judge declares mistrial in racketeering case of Gotti

NEW YORK (AP) — 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.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, the jury sent U.S. District Judge Kevin P. Castel a note that read: “Judge Castel, we cannot reach a unanimous decision on any count.”

Castel notified the jury that he was declaring a mistrial, and applause erupted in the courtroom among Gotti supporters. Once the jury left the courtroom, Gotti hugged his attorney. Whether he would be granted bail was to be decided at a hearing later Tuesday.

Victoria Gotti, Gotti’s sister, tearfully said outside court: “We’re ravaged. We’re beaten down, but we’re not broken.”

Asked about a possibility of another trial, she said: “Just let it go. We’re no organized-crime family. We’re a family. That’s all we are.”

The judge ordered Gotti, who’s been behind bars for more than a year, freed on $2 million bond while the government decides whether to seek a fifth trial.