Mistrial declared in Tyco corruption trial after months

NEW YORK -- With the jury close to reaching a verdict, a judge declared a mistrial in the grand-larceny case against two former Tyco executives Friday after a juror apparently received an intimidating letter and phone call for supposedly siding with the defense.

Judge Michael Obus aborted the trial after six months and 11 days of tumultuous deliberations, citing intense pressure on the juror. The woman had been lampooned in the press and vilified on the Internet after nearly bringing the case to a mistrial last week. A gasp rippled across the courtroom after the judge made the announcement.