Partial Verdict for Helio Castroneves, Deliberations to Resume Friday

The Miami jury deciding the fate of two-time Indy 500 champ Helio Castroneves has reached a partial verdict in the racer's federal tax evasion trial -- deciding unanimously on two of the seven charges against Castroneves on Thursday but remaining deadlocked on the others, which include the primary conspiracy charge.

The verdicts were not disclosed before court adjourned for the day. The jury will reconvene Friday for a sixth day of deliberation in the six-week old trial.

Castroneves, 33, is accused of failing to pay approximately $2.3 million in taxes on income from endorsement and licensing deals with a Brazilian sponsor and with Team Penske, which he's driven for since 2000.

In addition to Castroneves verdicts, the jury reached a unanimous verdict of one of the seven counts against Castroneves' sister and business manager, Katiucia Castroneves, Thursday and on four counts against Castroneves' sports lawyer, Alan R. Miller.

The courtroom was crowded with friends, relatives and media, according to reporters covering the trial, who said that Castroneves and his sister embraced as the jury delivered the partial verdicts to the judge.

The scene comes one day after Judge Graham refused defense attorneys' request for a mistrial. The defense team disputed the manner in which the judge gave additional instructions to the jury, which has submitted questions about the complicated tax laws to Judge Graham each day this week.

The jurors questions have centered on the definition of a "binding agreement" and laws concerning "deferral of income.''

Castroneves, a Brazilian native who is now a U.S. resident, is accused of avoiding U.S. taxes on more than $5 million in income between 1999-2004 by allegedly deferring payments from a licensing contract with Penske and then diverting money to a Panamanian company account.

According to The Miami Herald, Castroneves' defense attorneys maintain the Penske income "went to the Dutch annuity account -- income that Castroneves will start receiving next month, when he intends to pay his taxes.''

Penske, the winningest team owner in Indy car history, has said he remains fully committed to Castroneves. He told reporters two weeks ago at the series opener in St. Petersburg that Castroneves race car is ready to go if the popular driver is cleared of wrongdoing.

"We've never backed off that a minute,'' Penske said. "It's a tough situation. He doesn't have a bad bone in his body.

"We certainly understand the concerns everybody has for him. ... and we're hoping the jury sees he's not the culprit in this situation.''

The three face as much as six years in prison if convicted on the charges.