Jury convicts Ohio judge on felony count

CINCINNATI (AP) — A jury in southwest Ohio has convicted a suspended juvenile court judge on a single felony count, but has hung on eight others.

Jurors convicted Judge Tracie Hunter of a charge of unlawful interest in a public contract, involving her brother’s employment.

Judge Norbert Nadel of Hamilton County Common Pleas Court scheduled sentencing Dec. 2. Hunter could face up to 18 months in prison and her legal career is in doubt.

Her attorney indicated he plans to appeal.

The 12 jurors resumed deliberations today after telling Judge Nadel on Friday they were in agreement on only one count.

The judge had told them to keep trying, but they returned later today to say they couldn’t reach unanimous verdicts.

Prosecutors could seek a new trial on evidence-tampering, forgery and theft-in-office charges.