Jun 1, 2022

Note from jury confirms my hunch why jury deliberations are still going on in Sotolongo trial

 


At 3:13 p.m.  Judge Lawrence Killoran, Deputy District Attorneys Roger Rees and Jessica Watson went to Courtroom 1. Mr. Zach Curtis arrived at 3:18. There was a note from the jury.

I was talking with some attorneys and Rhonda Parker from LOCO earlier today and I said the hold up in deliberations is probably them trying to decide between first degree murder and other options. I was watching the jurors as they left deliberations. There wa still  some dissension when they took their afternoon break around 2:30 p.m.

I was right. One word deliberate and how to interpret is was one question the jurors asked.

That was part of the note. Judge Killoran and Mr. Zach Curtis agreed with Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees who said the word should not jave a technical or legal meaning but just be considered as it is in everyday use. Mr. Rees brought up CALCRIM 520 and 521 Section 4. Judget Milloran said he same instruction was not provided in 520 and 521 and he referred the jurors to Instruction 200.

The jurors asked, "Are we to interpret this other than accidental." 

Jurors also asked to examine the stick that Rodger Yale had and requested more readback. They want readback that is some of Sotolongo's testimony.

Bailiff Travis Mendes asked Judge Killoran if he needed to be present while the jurors examined the stick. Attorneys said that was not necessary but latex gloves were to be provided and worn while examining evidence.



Earlier post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/06/sotolongo-jury-requests-readback.html?m=1

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