TAMPA - After much deliberation by the jury, adult movie producer Max Hardcore, whose real name is Paul Little, was found guilty of 10 federal counts of distributing obscene materials over the Internet and through the mail.
His company, Maxworld Entertainment, was also found guilty on 10 related charges.
Earlier today, jurors told the judge they were having trouble reaching a verdict on half of the charges.
Jurors this afternoon sent a note to the judge reading, "If we make a decision on 10 of the 20 counts, but are unable to reach a decision on the other 10, will the 10 counts that were decided on stand?"
The judge sent a note back saying yes. The jurors responded with another note, reading, "There are people on both sides of the issues and we do not believe we will be able to make a decision on the 20 counts. How long must we deliberate? We are fairly certain we will not be able to reach a decision. This applies to 10 of the 20 counts."
U.S. District Judge Susan Bucklew assembled attorneys, brought the jury into the courtroom and gave the jury an instruction directing them to try again.
"It is your duty to agree upon a verdict on all counts if you can do so," the judge said. "I am not going to give you a length of time that you must deliberate. That's really up to you. But I am going to ask you to try again."
At this point, the jury foreman asked the judge if the jurors could take a break.
"Emotions were very high," he said. "It would be great if we could take a break now."
The judge allowed the jurors to take a break before resuming their deliberations.
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