CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Jurors have recessed after their fourth full day of deliberations without reaching a verdict in the trial of ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
The jury spent Monday deliberating in U.S. District Court in Charleston. If they don’t make a decision Tuesday, they will be off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving.
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 coal mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.
Prosecutors contended Blankenship was a micromanager who cared more about money than safety.
Blankenship’s defense team said the government offered no evidence he was involved in a conspiracy.
First Published: November 23, 2015, 10:24 p.m.