Mistrial declared in 'Desperate' lawsuit

LOS ANGELES, March 19 (UPI) -- Lawyers said they would retry "Desperate Housewives" star Nicollette Sheridan's wrongful termination suit after a mistrial was declared Monday in Los Angeles.

Sheridan sued ABC Entertainment for nearly $6 million because, she said, her character Edie Britt was killed off in 2008 after she complained to network brass the show's creator Marc Cherry was abusive to her.

Cherry, who has been cleared of a battery charge Sheridan made against him, has said Sheridan's character was written out of the show because the actress was frequently late, unprepared and cantankerous, and because Edie's storyline had run its course.

E! News said jurors informed the judge presiding over the trial they were "hopelessly deadlocked," 8-4 Monday. Nine jurors must agree in a civil verdict.

Both Sheridan's lawyer and the attorney for ABC said they are ready to retry the case, E! News reported.