Nicollette Sheridan's wrongful termination trial against her former "Desperate Housewives" bosses ended Friday just as it began the day -- completely up in the air.
Sheridan's legal team and attorneys for ABC and "Housewives" creator Marc Cherry failed to reach a settlement late in the day, after meeting with Judge Helen Bendix about the possibility of resolving the case.
Adam Levin, attorney for Cherry and ABC, emerged from Bendix's chambers late Friday and announced that the attorneys were asked to meet and discuss a settlement by Judge Elizabeth Allen White, who is presiding over the case. However, they were unable to reach an accord.
"We will wait for the jury," Levin said.
The settlement discussions occurred after the jury, split 8 to 4, told White that it was "hopelessly deadlocked." White sent them home for the weekend, telling them that, if they couldn't reach a verdict on Monday, a mistrial would be likely.
Sheridan is seeking $6 million, claiming that she was fired from "Desperate Housewives" in retaliation for complaining about Cherry striking her on set. Cherry countered that he was merely attempting to give Sheridan stage direction, and that the decision to kill off her character, Edie Britt, was made months before the incident.
Sheridan's attorney, Mark Baute, told reporters outside the courthouse that, shockingly, he believes the jury is leaning in his client's favor.
"We believe the vote is 8-4 in our favor," Baute posited. "We believe if the jury is patient and civilized with each other, the vote will swing our way."
Baute did add that he believes that the jury foreman is "against us ... He's trying to hang the case."
The attorney added that he wouldn't be surprised if there were further closing arguments. Asked if he would take the case up again in the case of mistrial, Baute replied, "One hundred percent."
