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Mistrial declared in Nicollette Sheridan's Housewives case

Mar 19, 2012, 21:01 GMT

Nicollette Sheridan

A mistrial has been declared in Nicollette Sheridan's wrongful termination trial against the creators of 'Desperate Housewives'.

The actress - who had been seeking around $6 million from her former employers after claiming her role as Edie Britt was axed after she complained that creator Marc Cherry had assaulted her during an on-set dispute in 2008 - is said to have stormed out of the Los Angeles courtroom after Judge Elizabeth White dismissed the jury as they failed to come up with a verdict.

Nine members of the panel had to agree to return a verdict, and after three days of deliberations, the foreman told Judge White, he saw no way to reach a decision. The jury found 8-4 in favour of Sheridan, one shy of a verdict.

They couldn't conclude whether the actress' character was killed off on the ABC show in an act of retaliation or simply for creative reasons.

If Sheridan wants to pursue a verdict, she have to try and bring the case to trial again.

While her wrongful termination case ended in a mistrial, her battery claim against Cherry was recently thrown out of court.

The blonde star claimed Cherry struck her in the face during a rehearsal in 2008, and network ABC subsequently fired her from the show when she complained, but the judge claimed Sheridan's claim did not meet the standard of proof required for battery, meaning Cherry is in the clear.

Speaking outside the Los Angeles courtroom, Cherry revealed he was delighted with the development.

He said: 'Obviously I am thrilled with the decision, but I am going to reserve further commentary until this matter is completely resolved.'

She has since claimed she has been unable to get work since being fired from the show - which also stars Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria.