Hung jury in trial of ex-Boeing worker accused of leaking secrets

Hung jury in trial of ex-Boeing worker accused of leaking secrets

Gerald Lee Eastman is seen during his arraignment in King County Superior Court on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.

By Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - The trial of a former Boeing Co. inspector accused of leaking sensitive company information ended Monday in a hung jury.

After almost a week of deliberations, jurors remained split 10-2 in favor of convicting Gerald Eastman on several counts of computer trespass, said Dan Donohoe, spokesman for the King County prosecutor's office.

Prosecutors will decide in the next two weeks whether to retry him, Donohoe said.

Eastman, 46, was accused of downloading Boeing computer documents and sharing them with The Seattle Times for stories about air safety.

He considered himself a whistleblower, saying he copied files to document what he considered to be inadequate inspection of certain parts. He told police he alerted the Federal Aviation Administration about his concerns but felt that neither the FAA nor Boeing addressed the issues to his satisfaction.

Eastman's lawyer, Ramona Brandes, argued he may have broken company rules but did not commit a crime. She did not immediately return a call for comment Monday afternoon.

Boeing spokesman Peter Conte thanked the jury for its service and police and prosecutors for their work on the case, and stopped short of calling for a retrial.

"Ultimately, the decision is for the prosecutor's office," Conte said.

Eastman inspected engine mounts and tail pipes at a Boeing plant in Tukwila, south of Seattle. Chicago-based Boeing, which assembles its commercial jets in the Seattle area, fired him in 2006. He faced three years in prison if convicted.
Icon
Current Temp 68 °F
Overcast
More Weather
More Weather

Travel Times

Traffic

Resources and info you need to prepare for the switch to DTV.

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Viewer Poll

Should bikini-clad baristas be allowed near the Space Needle?

  • Yes, it's summer and bikini attire is not illegal.
  • No, bikinis shouldn't be allowed near a family-oriented tourist destination.