Stevens Jury Finds Typo; Defense Urges Acquittal

The jury in Ted Stevens’ corruption trial has uncovered an error in one indictment, and the defense is springing at the chance, the Hill reports. Jurors sent the judge a note today questioning a discrepancy in the prosecution’s allegations regarding the senator’s 2001 financial disclosure. Where the indictment said Stevens checked “no” to a question about gifts received, he actually checked “yes.”

Stevens declared a $1,100 Special Olympics coin he received in the section pertaining to gifts over $260. However, he did not declare a pricey massage chair or a top-of-the-line grill, let alone the free renovation prosecutors allege. The defense pushed for acquittal, while the prosecution said it was just a typo. “Presumably somebody read this,” said the judge, dismissing the prosecution’s objection. (More Ted Stevens stories.)