CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The latest on the conviction of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship on a misdemeanor charge (all times local):

12:30 p.m. - A federal jury in West Virginia has convicted ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship of a misdemeanor count connected to a deadly coal mine explosion and acquitted him of other charges.

Blankenship was convicted Thursday of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety standards. The misdemeanor charge carries up to one year in prison. He was acquitted of a more serious conspiracy charge that could have netted five years in prison. He was also acquitted of making false statements and securities fraud.

Blankenship was tried on charges of conspiring to break safety laws and defrauding mine regulators at West Virginia's Upper Big Branch Mine, and lying to financial regulators and investors about safety. The mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.

Prosecutors contended that Blankenship was a micromanager who meddled in the smallest details at the mine, and cared more about money than safety.

His multimillion-dollar defense team said the government had no evidence Blankenship was involved in a conspiracy.

12:15 p.m. - A jury has found ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship guilty on one of three counts connected to a deadly coal mine explosion.

Blankenship was convicted Thursday on a conspiracy count but acquitted of making false statements and securities fraud.

A 12-member jury returned the verdict for the former coal industry executive in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Blankenship was tried on charges of conspiring to break safety laws and defrauding mine regulators at West Virginia's Upper Big Branch Mine, and lying to financial regulators and investors about safety. The mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.

Prosecutors contended that Blankenship was a micromanager who meddled in the smallest details at the mine, and cared more about money than safety.

His multimillion-dollar defense team said the government had no evidence Blankenship was involved in a conspiracy.

Blankenship was indicted in November 2014 and his trial began Oct. 1.

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10:15 a.m. - Jurors have resumed deliberations in ex-Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's trial.

The jury returned to work Thursday in U.S. District Court in Charleston, West Virginia.

Jurors have said twice they couldn't agree on a verdict. They have deliberated for all or part of nine days.

Blankenship is charged with conspiring to break safety laws and defrauding mine regulators at West Virginia's Upper Big Branch Mine and lying to financial regulators and investors about safety. The coal mine exploded in 2010, killing 29 men.

Prosecutors contended that Blankenship was a micromanager who meddled in the smallest details at the mine and cared more about money than safety.

Blankenship's defense team said the government offered no evidence he was involved in a conspiracy.

His trial began Oct. 1.

(Story by: The Associated Press)

 

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