Jurors in Dancer trial not able to reach verdict before weekend

Jurors in the William Dancer embezzlement case were dismissed for the weekend after not being able to reach a verdict in nearly six hours of deliberation Friday, according to court recorder Deb Kambel.

At about 5:30 Friday evening district court judge Michael Prezeau asked the jury if it would like to continue working through dinner – an option juries choose when they believe they are close to reaching a verdict – or be dismissed until Monday morning. Jurors opted for the latter, and will reconvene Monday at 9 a.m., according to Kambel.

In a surprising turn of events, William Dancer’s defense rested its case Thursday afternoon after only calling three witnesses, cutting testimony two days shorter than the court scheduled.

Dancer is being tried for money laundering and embezzling from Sagle, Idaho-based Independence Home Center Inc., a manufactured home supplier.