A federal judge in Miami today declared a second straight mistrial in the case against the so-called “Liberty City Seven.” Prosecutors say the defendants were plotting to destroy several buildings, including Chicago’s Sears Tower.
Defense lawyers say their clients didn’t have the means to carry out the alleged attacks, and were only pretending - in an effort to try to score $50-thousand offered by an FBI informant.
The first trial, which wrapped up in December, resulted in the acquittal of one defendant, and a mistrial for the others after the jury deadlocked..
The government opted to re-try the remaining six redefendants. But, again, the jury couldn’t reach a decision.
Prosecutors will announce next week whether they plan to attempt a third trial.