Judge In Gotti Case Offers Jurors Licorice

November 4, 2009 2:59 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The New York judge presiding over the trial of alleged mobster John "Junior" Gotti put the case's jurors in a sticky situation.

U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel gave the jurors a huge tub of individually wrapped licorice sticks in a bid to limit talk about the trial, the New York Post reported.

Judge Castel hopes the Twizzler treats will help remind jurors of his message to not talk about the trial as it enters its seventh week.

The jurors, who are reportedly not getting along well, chuckled at the gift.

Judge Castel told the Post he also hoped the licorice treats would help jurors relieve some of the pressures of the lengthy trial.

This is Gotti's fourth trial on racketeering charges. The previous trials ended with hung juries.