Jury in ex-Mass. treasurer trial back deliberating

BOSTON -- Jurors in the corruption trial of former Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill have begun their fifth day of deliberations.

Cahill is charged with violating state ethics laws by scheming to use $1.5 million in advertising for the state lottery to boost his 2010 independent campaign for governor.

Cahill testified that the ads were aimed at defending the lottery against Republican attack ads.

Jurors began deliberating conspiracy charges against Cahill and former campaign manager Scott Campbell last Tuesday. They resumed deliberations Monday morning.

In the 27th hour of deliberations the jury had its first question about the case. Lawyers did not reveal what the question was, but there was a lot of discussion about the question with the judge. The judge wrote her response to the question and put it in an envelope. A court officer delivered that response to the jury room.

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