Pubdate: Fri, 01 Feb 2002 Source: Clarion-Ledger, The (MS) Copyright: 2002 The Clarion-Ledger Contact: http://www.clarionledger.com/about/letters.html Website: http://www.clarionledger.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/805 Author: Sherri Williams, Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer REDD FOUND GUILTY IN DRUG DEAL Nearly Deadlocked Jury Returns Innocent Verdict On Two Counts Starsky Redd could face 20 years behind bars after a federal jury on Thursday found that he did participate in a scheme in which $8 million in drugs were shipped to Jackson in November 2000. Redd was convicted of conspiracy to possess narcotics, but found innocent on a conspiracy to distribute narcotics charge, which carries a maximum life sentence. He also was acquitted of using a gun in the commission of a felony. The verdict was announced less than two hours after jurors sent U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour a note saying they were deadlocked. But Barbour, citing the importance of the case and the time and expense that had been invested in the eight-day trial, encouraged deliberations to continue. "The judge encouraged them (jurors) to compromise and give up their beliefs. That is what caused the guilty verdict," said Redd's lawyer, Chokwe Lumumba. Flanked by about 30 relatives and friends of Redd, Lumumba said he would file motions seeking a new trial and to set aside the guilty verdict. Assistant U.S. Attorney Al Jernigan said the assertion that Barbour encouraged jurors to compromise justice did not dignify a response. "I would have liked to have gotten a guilty verdict on all three counts but I am very satisfied that Mr. Redd will get a substantial sentence on that count," he said. Redd, 23, of Jackson is set for sentencing April 12. He was charged with plotting the transport of 22 pounds of cocaine to Jackson from Dallas. The cocaine and 757.9 pounds of marijuana arrived in Jackson in an 18-wheeler. Prosecutors did not pursue charges regarding the marijuana because a conviction on the cocaine charges carries a more severe penalty. Redd claimed he did not know the truck was loaded with drugs and was giving a friend a ride when they met the 18-wheeler along I-220 and led it back to Redd's rap music studio at West Northside Drive and College Hills Road, where authorities and Redd exchanged gunfire in the parking lot. Redd was shot in the right arm and left leg. Cocaine charges against three co-defendants were dismissed as part of a plea bargain. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake