Jurors in Joe Percoco trial leave for weekend without a verdict

Jurors in the bribery of trial of former gubernatorial aide Joe Percoco will return to Manhattan federal court on Monday to continue their deliberations after going a sixth day Friday without a verdict.

Percoco, 48, of South Salem, the one-time right-hand man to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, is accused of taking more than $300,000 in bribes from three co-defendants, an energy executive and two Syracuse developers, in return for using his clout to help them.

On Tuesday, the jury foreman said they were unable to agree and several jurors asked to be excused, but since a daylong break for the storm the panel has deliberated without additional crises for two five-hour days.

On Friday, jurors asked for a transcript of closing arguments, which U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni refused because arguments are not considered evidence.

They did get requested readbacks of testimony about the hiring of Percoco’s wife for what prosecutors say was a “no show” job that served as a bribe from energy executive Peter Galbraith Kelly, whose company, Competitive Power Ventures, wanted to develop a Hudson Valley plant.

The trial began on Jan. 23.