Jurors recess until Monday morning

11/9/2006

BY MIKE WILKINSON
BLADE STAFF WRITER

Jurors deciding the fate of Tom Noe deliberated today for a second day without reaching a verdict. They will not meet tomorrow because of the Veterans' Day holiday. They will resume deliberations on Monday at 8:30 a.m.

The jury of eight women and four men began deliberating for a second day about 9 a.m. today. They recessed shortly before 5 p.m.

Before today s deliberations, jurors met briefly with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and Judge Thomas Osowik to discuss questions the jurors had. They wondered if a date was correct on two charges and they asked for clarification regarding some exhibits.

Judge Osowick said the jury is "meticulously" going over the details of the charges.

"Obviously, they are paying close attention," the judge said.

The answers were given the date was correct and sent back to the jury.

They are considering whether Noe is innocent or guilty of 40 felonies relating to charges that he stole more than $2 million from the coin funds he managed on behalf of the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.

Prosecutors claim Noe took some of the state s money to pay off business loans and live a lavish lifestyle. Defense attorneys say Noe had permission from the bureau to invest the money and that the coin fund produced $7.9 million in profits over seven years.

The investigation into Noe s coin investments led to separate ethics charges against Gov. Bob Taft, who pleaded no contest last year to failing to report golf outings and other gifts. About a dozen others, including some of Governor Taft s aides, also were charged.

Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com.

Deliberations begin for jury in Noe trial

Day 18 testimony: Final arguments given in Noe trial

Day 17 testimony: Defense calls no witnesses, then rests

Day 16 testimony: Noe unlikely to testify as defense steps up

Day 15 testimony: Noe wrote 71 checks to self, witness says

Day 14 testimony: Noe V.P. says he faked data with consent

Day 13 testimony: Signatures forged on checks, 6 testify

Day 12 testimony: Jurors see video of Noe bragging about luxuries

Day 11 testimony: Witness says Noe moved $11.2M just before search

Day 10 testimony: Judge likely to rule today on funds assets

Day 9 testimony: Coin sales didn't occur, court told