Mistrial Declared In Murder Trial For NJ Attorney Paul Bergrin

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The federal murder trial of a New Jersey defense attorney has ended in a hung jury.

A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday after a jury in Newark couldn't reach a verdict in the case against Paul Bergrin. The panel had deliberated for six days.

Bergrin faced one count each of murder and conspiracy for allegedly ordering the killing of an informant in 2004 to prevent him from testifying against one of Bergrin's clients. The government claimed Bergrin was involved in the drug trade himself.

Bergrin represented himself and accused the government of getting witnesses to change their stories in exchange for lighter sentences.

Bergrin once represented rappers and other celebrities such as Queen Latifah. He faces racketeering and drug charges that will be the focus of a separate trial.

Sound off in our comments section below…

(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)