LIVINGSTON COUNTY – After nearly four hours of deliberation, the heavily contested jury in the Welfare Fraud trial for Michele Duryea arrived at a not guilty verdict for each of her three charges on Wednesday.
The jury acquitted Duryea of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Welfare Fraud, and Misuse of Food Stamps after hearing testimony from defense attorney Daniel Magill’s three witnesses, and closing statements from both Magill and the prosecution, ADA Joshua Tonra. Duryea expressed her relief at the verdict outside the courthouse after the verdict was heard, and drove away from the courthouse with a broad smile and a clear name.
“I’m happy that I was proven innocent,” said Duryea. “And I’ll never be in trouble again in my life.”
Duryea’s defense attorney, Daniel Magill, was beaming at the rail after the verdict was finally heard, and took time to voice his appreciation for the criminal justice system.
“I firmly believe that the right to a trial by jury is the most sacred right in the United States constitution,” said Magill. “My client has adamantly denied all of the charges since the beginning, and asked for her day in court. The fine citizens of Livingston County, after hearing the evidence, agree with our position that the government has not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The prosecutor in this case, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Tonra, expressed nothing but profound respect for the justice system after hearing the verdict.
“We felt the evidence was there and disagree with the jury’s verdict, but at the same time we wholeheartedly respect that verdict,” said Tonra. “You can’t be a prosecutor without believing that the system has to work, and that this is the best system. If the jury doesn’t feel that this is proof beyond a reasonable doubt, I respect that.”
Though the jury eventually arrived at a unanimous verdict of not guilty, for a long time there was just one juror holding out with a strong position that Duryea was guilty. At 3:15 p.m., after two and a half hours of deliberating, they passed a note to the court saying “Eleven jury members are in agreement but one is unwilling to change their vote. What should we do?”
They were brought out of deliberations to be read further instructions and encouragement, saying that it is not uncommon for juries to feel like they will never reach a unanimous verdict. At 4:16 p.m., after deliberating for another hour, the final juror agreed, and the not guilty verdict was passed.
This verdict has very complicated potential implications for future litigations on Welfare Fraud in Livingston County.
PHOTO CAPTION: File photo.