You just can't make this stuff up. From TPM:
The full verdict, a document of several hundred pages, explaining how and why today’s [Saddam Hussein] judgment was reached was not released. U.S. officials said it should be ready by Thursday. So why issue the verdict today? U.S. court advisors told reporters today it was delayed mainly for technical reasons.
They put in all manner of caveats explaining how there's no proof the verdict was timed for political purposes. But it certainly seems like they couldn't actually get the verdict ready for the November 5th slam dunk. So they announced it for US electoral benefit. And they'll do their best to get the actual verdict done by Thursday.
So, we know the penalty before we get the verdict. That would be considered a bit of a mistrial around here.