NOT GUILTY: Helio Trial

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Permalink Reply by xorpheous on April 17, 2009 at 2:27pm

Not so fast! Helio was acquitted of tax evasion, but there's not been a determination regarding the conspiracy charges. The jury was hung on those counts. I don't think this clears Helio to drive for Penske yet. His legal troubles are not over yet.

MIAMI (AP) — A jury has acquitted Indy race car driver Helio Castroneves of tax evasion but remained hung on a count of conspiracy. Jurors deliberated for six days before reaching their verdict on Friday.
Castroneves has twice won the Indianapolis 500, and was also champ of TV's "Dancing With The Stars" in 2007. His sister and business manager, Katiucia Castroneves, was also acquitted on the tax evasion counts and the jury also remained hung on the conspiracy count. His Michigan lawyer, Alan Miller, was acquitted on the conspiracy count and three counts of tax evasion.

The three were accused of conspiring to evade millions in taxes over a five-year period. They had faced up to six years in prison.

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Permalink Reply by Tabatha Patterson on April 17, 2009 at 3:21pm

I doubt that Helio will be cleared in time to race at LBC. Hopefully, the same verdict will come down on the conspiracy charge!

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Permalink Reply by Wayne's IndyPage on April 17, 2009 at 3:26pm

Robin Miller has reported from Miami that the trail has just been declared a MISTRIAL.

(if that's the case, they can file charges and re-try the case)

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Permalink Reply by Tabatha Patterson on April 17, 2009 at 5:20pm

What does this mean for Helio?

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Permalink Reply by Tabatha Patterson on April 17, 2009 at 11:42pm

Yay!

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Permalink Reply by Wheldongrl4 on April 18, 2009 at 1:34am

Glad to see Helio is going racing this weekend!! Then I will really look forward to seeing him Indy!! YAY!!!!

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Permalink Reply by xorpheous on April 18, 2009 at 10:36am

I agree, ATB, but that doesn't mean that the feds won't attempt to retry Helio on the charges on which the jury remained deadlocked. I hope they don't, but its certainly a possibility.

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