US News

MISTRIAL IN SLAYING OF ROOKIE

Jury deliberations for the third man accused in the murder of rookie cop Rus sel Timoshenko came to a sudden halt yesterday when a legal technicality forced a mistrial – but a juror later said guilty ver dicts had been just a mat ter of time.

“We were probably going to . . . convict,” said Juror No. 9, a 39-year-old who asked for anonymity.

The trial of Lee Woods, 30, ended after a juror who had heart palpitations and high blood pressure Friday morning said she needed more tests.

“There’s no justice in this country,” said Timo shenko’s mother, Tatyana. “It’s so obvious. I don’t know how much more evi dence you need.”

The mistrial came five days after a separate jury acquitted co-defendant Robert Ellis, 35, on all but weapon charges and three days after another jury convicted accused trigger man Dexter Bostic, 36, on all charges.

“He wanted to see this through,” said Woods’ law yer, Sam Karliner. “The jury he wanted, including that juror, was unable to continue.”

The parties are to return to court Jan. 14 to plan for the retrial.

The jury began deliber ating Thursday morning and worked until 9:30 p.m. The ill juror said she went to Beth Israel Hospital for treatment at 2 a.m. Friday.

Timoshenko was shot twice in the face after he and Officer Herman Yan pulled over a BMW SUV early on July 9, 2007, in Crown Heights. Yan survived wounds to the arm and chest.