Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is in court awaiting a verdict in her criminal case {Thanks, Baltimore Sun}

The case of Mayor Sheila Dixon is now in the hands of a jury who has been deliberating since midday Thursday. Dixon faces charges of theft and misappropriation in connection with the use of gift cards prosecutors say were donated by several local developers and intended for use by the needy. They allege Dixon used the gift cards for her own purposes, and gave others to friends, family and city staffers.

Dixon’s lawyers say the gift cards were given to the mayor, who was then Baltimore City Council President, and intended to be used at her discretion.

Now a jury of Dixon’s peers, citizens of Baltimore, will decide her case.

Perhaps it’s fitting that a public official with a known disdain for the media is finally getting her day in court. Dixon has been in the public spotlight for the better part of 20 years, and has never seemed to grow comfortable under the media’s watchful eye. Many public figures who have found themselves in similar situations would likely argue the court of public opinion and a court of law are two different places, and for good reason.

The panel of nine women and three men for all intents and purposes have the future of a city in their hands. Prosecutors want them to believe that they have the ultimate responsibility to help hold a public official who has overstepped her bounds accountable. Defense attorneys want them to believe that they must rebuff a prosecutor who has been overly aggressive in his efforts to try to bring the mayor down.

The case is probably what no one expected. We expected to hear from Dixon’s former boyfriend, developer Ronald Lipscomb,  and we expected some sort of bombshell. But instead, most of the case rests on the testimony of developer Patrick Turner. Turner says Dixon called and asked him to donate gift cards, and that he dropped them off.

Jurors heard other testimony but were told by the judge to disregard it.

The fact that the jurors have been asking numerous questions as chronicled in the live tweets of multiple news outlets means the trial is being taken seriously and that’s reaffirming.

A verdict of not guilty would vindicate the mayor, and at the very least, allow her to continue her job as the city’s chief executive. A guilty verdict would likely end the mayor’s political career.

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