Jury Deadlocked Over Death Penalty In Sentencing Of Cop Killer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There is an update in the penalty phase of the murder trial of Rasheed Scruggs, who pleaded guilty to the murder of Police Officer John Pawlowski.

The jury considering Scruggs' fate is "hopelessly deadlocked" on imposing the death penalty.

After deliberating for four days, over the course of 16 hours, the jury will be given more time to deliberate next week.

The judge, who appeared to be emotionally exhausted, has asked each of the jurors to write down what, if anything would help them facilitate a decision in this case.

When jurors returned to the court room after failing to reach a decision another time, the judge decided they lacked clarity on the law and would reconvene on Monday.

If the jury cannot reach a unanimous decision on the death penalty, by law, Scruggs would be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The prosecutors in the case met with the police officer's widow, father, and other family members to apprise them of the situation.

Reported by: Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio; Natasha Brown, CBS 3