NEWS
Judge Declares Mistrial in Amy Cooper Drug Case
Their deliberations took eleven hours, longer that the total amount of testimony they heard from the lawyers. But, jurors in the Amy Cooper drug case came back Wednesday afternoon without a decision. U.S. District Judge Richard Smoak declared a mistrial.
Cooper was charged with one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug transaction. U.S. prosecutors say she helped her boyfriend, Dr. Michael Reed, buy a kilo of cocaine from drug dealer Hector Melara.
Prosecutors presented recordings of two telephone calls between Cooper and Melara as the key pieces of evidence. The government claimed those calls helped Melara and Reed complete their cocaine deal.
Cooper's attorney, Jim White, argued the deal was already planned between Melara and Reed, and Cooper's calls made no difference. There was apparently enough doubt in at least one juror's mind that Cooper did not aid or assist in the drug deal.
After declaring the mistrial, Judge Smoak released Cooper on $25,000 bond. Prior to her trial, she had been jailed for regularly telephoning Dr. Reed. Communication between the two is not a concern since Reed was sentenced to 57 months in prison last week.
Judge Smoak cautioned Cooper against talking about ongoing litigation with Reed. He also told Cooper that there aren't many second chances in life, and he will not hesitate to revoke her release if she violates the agreement.
The prosecution plans to retry Cooper on the one count. Her new trial is scheduled for Monday, December 7.
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