Dorothy June Brown retrial expected this summer - maybe
The retrial of charter school founder Dorothy June Brown on multiple federal fraud counts is at least four months away - and perhaps longer.
The retrial of charter school founder Dorothy June Brown on multiple federal fraud counts is at least four months away - and perhaps longer.
In documents filed Monday, U.S. District Court Judge R. Barclay Surrick said Brown's counsel is involved in a trial in Camden and is not expected to be available "for four to six months."
Earlier this month, a jury acquitted Brown of six counts but said they were deadlocked on the remaining 54. Jurors said the panel was split 9 to 3 in favor of convicting Brown on charges she defrauded the four charter schools she founded of $6.5 million and then engaged in a conspiracy to obstruct justice to cover it up.
Prosecutors have said they plan to retry the case.
Surrick scheduled a conference with prosecutors and Brown's attorneys to discuss the status of the case April 11.
Gregory P. Miller, Brown's lead attorney, is representing one of the seven defendants in a federal racketeering trial of Nicodemo Scarfo Jr., 45, son of jailed Philadelphia mob boss Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo. That trial began Jan. 8 in Camden.
Surrick also directed federal prosecutors to respond by Feb. 14 to a motion Brown's attorneys asking for the veteran educator to be acquitted of all outstanding charges because "the government failed to introduce sufficient evidence to permit a reasonable jury to find Dr. Brown guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" on the remaining counts.
U.S. Attorney's Office spokeswoman Patty Hartman said prosecutors will respond to Brown's filing.
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