Woe unto you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge.

—- Luke 11:52

       The Supreme Court, of the corporate United states, hands down Allen v. United states, handing down the infamous “Allen Charge” federal judges are to give juries in federal district Courts, if they are “deadlocked” (unable to reach a unanimous verdict):

       Members of the Jury:

       I’m going to ask that you continue your deliberations in an effort to reach agreement upon a verdict and dispose of this case; and I would like for you to consider as you do so.

       This is an important case. The trial has been expensive in time, effort, money and emotional strain to both the defense and the prosecution. If you should fail to agree upon a verdict, the case will be left open and may have to be tried again …

· · · · · ·

       I will ask now that you retire once again and continue your deliberations with these additional comments in mind to be applied, of course, in conjunction with all of the other instructions I have previously given to you. [emphasis added]

       NOTE: Before this decision a Jury Fully informed of its lawful power to judge the law as well as the facts in Question that was unable to reach a unanimous verdict was considered to be an acquittal, as failure to reach a unanimous guilty verdict was considered (in the interests of mercy) to be a not guilty verdict.

       [added 5/21/2022] Thanks to Curtis Sliwa for this entry.