Thursday, 23 October 2008

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Britney's trial victory a 'turnaround' for singer

Troubled pop princess makes a fresh start

Britney has come to the end of a bad chapter

Britney Spears's victory in her misdemeanor driving-without-a-license trial this week "closes a chapter on her past troubles," her lawyer Michael Flanagan tells PEOPLE.

"It marks a turnaround for her. This case was a thorn in her side for more than a year, a reminder of the bad old days," he said. "She's thrilled the court system, for once, worked in her favor."

The trial – which heard only one day of witness testimony – failed to convince a jury that Spears broke the law by driving without a California license, stemming from a 2007 fender-bender. It ended Tuesday in a hung jury, 10-2 in favor of her innocence, and a dismissal of the case.

Said jury foreman Gary Moy, 45, "There were lots of questions about lack of evidence, whether Spears had a Louisiana license or not, what the definition of residency was. We felt we were never given all the facts in the case."

Spears's father, Jamie, provided key testimony that his daughter had a Louisiana license on the day in question, and that she considers that state her permanent home.

Ken Lee