Eckstein

The jury foreman for the defamation case against former Butler County Commissioner Jim Eckstein says there was a verdict leading up to the mistrial declared April 29.

Christine Pflugh of Franklin Township, jury foreman, said in an interview at least 10 of the 12 jurors voted in favor of Eckstein on each of seven counts alleged against him.

A verdict requires at least 10 votes from the 12-member jury.

Pflugh said when the jury was later polled about their individual votes, five jurors changed their overall stance by voting no.

“It wasn't that we miscounted,” she said.

Pflugh said the jury was convinced Eckstein was not guilty of defamation against former county Commissioner Dale Pinkerton, county human resources director Lori Altman and her husband, state police Trooper Scott Altman.

“Everybody was in agreement to the verdict,” she said.

Eckstein was accused of spreading a rumor that Pinkerton got out of a drunken driving pullover by giving Lori Altman an extra 20 percent pay hike in 2011.

Pinkerton and the Altmans filed separate lawsuits against Eckstein that were tried simultaneously in an eight-day trial in county court.

Pflugh said all the jurors decided there was no evidence that Eckstein spoke about the rumor believing it was false.

She said the jury was going by the malicious intent aspect of defamation, knowing a rumor is false. According to Pflugh, the testimony indicated Eckstein either believed the rumor was true or could be true.

“I feel so bad for everybody involved, but it just wasn't there,” she said about a case for defamation.