Four and a Half Years Later: Hung Jury
May. 12th, 2023 05:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
canyonwalkerFour and a half years ago we were struck in a multi-vehicle car collision in Seattle. The driver of one car was charged criminally, and a few weeks ago the case finally went to trial (after 4.5 years). We were subpoenaed at witnesses and traveled to Seattle early last week to testify. Today we learned of the result of the trial. The jury deadlocked.
The prosecutors explained the situation to us in a video call today. The jury deliberated for 2 1/2 days and was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. I don't know what the final vote was. The prosecutors did get some feedback from jurors about where their case was too weak to support conviction. They've offered the defendant another plea bargain. They're also considering whether to try the defendant again if he declines the offer. I'm skeptical he'll take an offer. He declined all previous offers, and his bargaining position would seem stronger now after prosecutors tried and failed once to convict him.
Well, if they do try him again, we'll go back to Seattle!
The prosecutors explained the situation to us in a video call today. The jury deliberated for 2 1/2 days and was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. I don't know what the final vote was. The prosecutors did get some feedback from jurors about where their case was too weak to support conviction. They've offered the defendant another plea bargain. They're also considering whether to try the defendant again if he declines the offer. I'm skeptical he'll take an offer. He declined all previous offers, and his bargaining position would seem stronger now after prosecutors tried and failed once to convict him.
Well, if they do try him again, we'll go back to Seattle!
