After two full days of jury deliberation, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White declared a mistrial in the wrongful-termination case brought forward by former Desperate Housewives actress Nicollette Sheridan.
The judge sent the panel of nine women and three men home on Monday after determining that they were hopelessly deadlocked 8-4 in their verdict. Sheridan needed 9 jurors on her side in order to win a $6 million judgement against ABC and the popular drama.
The basis of the lawsuit was a claim by Sheridan that her character Edie Britt was killed off by series creator Marc Cherry after she came forward with allegations that he maliciously struck her on the head during a rehearsal.
Toward the end of the two week trial a legal claim against Cherry was thrown out by the judge for lack of evidence. Trial watchers viewed that as a major setback in Sheridan’s case.
Both sides indicate they plan to seek a new trial.
Photo: WENN, ABC