Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang avoids conviction on bribery charge – for now – as jury unable to reach verdict
Ex-top official was charged with accepting an advantage as chief executive
The judge at former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang Yam-kuen’s second bribery trial dismissed the jury after they were unable to reach a verdict on Friday, leaving his fate in limbo for the second time.
After 14 hours of deliberation, the eight jurors were adamant that they would not be able to deliver a minimum 6-2 majority verdict on whether Tsang was guilty of accepting an advantage, as the city’s chief executive, between 2010 and 2012.
This is the second time Tsang’s trial has ended in a hung jury over the same charge stemming from free renovation work he allegedly accepted from a local radio station’s owner.
There is a possibility he could face a third trial, lawyers said, though it is unclear whether the Department of Justice will press for it.
Walking out of the High Court, Tsang, 73, opened up for the first time about his emotional state since the trial began.