Trenton, NJ – Rabbi’s Bid For Mistrial In Forced-Divorces Case Rejected

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    Rabbi Mendel Epstein, right, arrives for his trial at federal court in Trenton, N.J. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. Prosecutors say Epstein employed a kidnap team to force unwilling Jewish husbands to divorce their wives. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)Trenton, NJ – A federal judge has rejected a request by defense lawyers to declare a mistrial in the case of an Orthodox rabbi accused in New Jersey of using brutal tactics to force unwilling Jewish men to divorce their wives.

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    The Asbury Park Press (http://on.app.com/1bqlDDZ) reports the ruling came Tuesday after the defense lawyers reported an error in the indictment given to the jury as it started deliberations last week.

    The error involved a comment mistakenly attributed to Rabbi Mendel Epstein. It initially was discovered in January and was changed before the trial started.

    It’s unclear how the erroneous sentence remained in the indictment. Prosecutors say it doesn’t merit a mistrial.

    The judge agrees, saying a “strongly worded curative instruction” delivered orally to the jury in the courtroom is the appropriate remedy.


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    12 Comments
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    Sol-Sol
    Sol-Sol
    8 years ago

    Let’s hope Rabbi Epstien is found not guilty in these crazy charges.

    commonsense99
    commonsense99
    8 years ago

    like they say in yiddish “es vet gornish helfin”

    Aloofknaz
    Aloofknaz
    8 years ago

    I heard there was a verdict late afternoon……
    Can someone confirm?

    8 years ago

    Where are the millions of dollars he was paid?

    8 years ago

    He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit kidnapping late this afternoon.

    BaruchHashem
    BaruchHashem
    8 years ago

    Unfortunately he was found guilty on one count. BH his son was not

    yaakov doe
    Member
    yaakov doe
    8 years ago

    I’m surprised that the jury is taking so long to reach a verdict in this trial of 4 innocent men.