Perris Official’s Jury Stymied; Judge May Send Panel Back

A Riverside County jury Monday was unable to return a verdict for a Perris councilwoman on trial for allegedly conspiring to make crack cocaine, but the jury could be asked to continue deliberating today, court officials said.

Marita “Rita” Gaye Rogers, 55, is accused of helping her 30-year-old son run a drug operation out of her Mead Valley home.

“Obviously we want a verdict to be reached if they can,” said Ingrid Wyatt, spokeswoman for the Riverside County district attorney’s office.

Jurors were able to reach a verdict on charges against the councilwoman’s son Joseph Raymond Rogers, a decision scheduled to be read today, Superior Court Judge Helios J. Hernandez said.

Joseph Rogers was arrested in August 2002 on suspicion of possessing several ounces of crack cocaine.

Information from the arrest led authorities to search the Mead Valley home. Rita Rogers was not involved in drug activity at the house, which she now uses only as an office and for storage, her attorney Virginia Blumenthal has said.

If convicted, Rita Rogers could face 12 years in prison and her son up to seven years, said Wyatt. A felony conviction would also make her ineligible to serve on the City Council.