CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Jurors have recessed after their first full day of deliberations without reaching a verdict in the trial of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
They began deliberating for about an hour Tuesday and deliberated for a full day Wednesday.
Blankenship is charged with conspiring to break safety laws and defrauding mine regulators at West Virginia’s Upper Big Branch Mine, and lying to financial regulators and investors about safety. The mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.
Prosecutors contended that Blankenship was a micromanager who meddled in the smallest details at the mine, and cared more about money than safety.
Blankenship’s defence team said the government offered no evidence he was involved in a conspiracy.
Blankenship’s trial began Oct. 1. The jury returns to continue deliberating Thursday morning.
