Mistrial Declared In Case Of Chesco Man Charged With Murder In Death Of Elderly Father
WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) — After more than a week of testimony, four hours of closing arguments, and almost 9 hours of deliberations...the Chester County jury deciding the fate of an Exton man charged with murder in the death of his elderly father, told the judge they were stuck.
Shortly before midnight the judge declared a hung jury and dismissed the jurors.
After about six-and-a-half hours of deliberations, around 930 p.m., the jury told the court they thought they'd reached an impasse.
Judge Anne Marie Wheatcraft told the jury to keep at it and asked if they wanted to keep going or if they'd rather go home and come back in the morning. The jury kept on.
But as the clock ticked toward midnight, another note from the jury, they were still stuck and their divisions had deepened.
O'Brien was charged with 3rd Degree Murder, Involuntary Manslaughter, Aggravated Assault, and recklessly endangering another person. Prosecutors will decide how to proceed.
A gag order surrounding the case remains in effect.
