More than 24 hours after the start of the jury deliberations in the criminal trial against the German ex-tennis star Boris Becker, the jury has not yet been able to agree on a unanimous verdict.
the essentials in brief
- The 11-member jury withdrew from decision-making at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday afternoon and resumed its deliberations on Thursday morning.
How long it will take for the jury to find Becker guilty or innocent on the 24 counts of the indictment is unclear. In theory, the deliberations behind closed doors could go on for days.
Becker is accused of concealing assets such as real estate, accounts and important trophies in the bankruptcy proceedings against him. The 54-year-old firmly rejects the allegations. Theoretically, he could face up to seven years in prison.
Boris Becker must be ready during the deliberations because the decision can be announced at any time. The Londoner-by-choice appeared in a blue and gray suit on Thursday – again accompanied by his girlfriend and son Noah. Like the lawyers involved and observers, he and his family stayed in the dreary courthouse.
The public prosecutor sees the allegations in all 24 counts as proven. Becker deliberately concealed the assets and blamed his advisors, who he said took care of all financial issues. Becker’s defense attorney, on the other hand, emphasized that although his client was naive and had not taken care of his finances, he was innocent. It is not a crime to rely on advisors.
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