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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnother possible scenario: death penalty caused the hung jury (EDIT: Nevermind)
None of us know why or hose the jury hung on the murder charge. It could have been any combination of acquittal/manslaughter/second/first splits.
Considering they found guilty on all the other charges, I would expect that the division did not include an acquittal dissenter. Rather, it seems most logical that there was a division on first or second degree.
Florida is one of the states that still engages in the barbaric practice of executing its people. A sentence of death is only available in Florida for first degree murder conviction. It is not beyond the realm of possible that one (or more) on the jury refused to endorse first degree murder because they knew that death could then be sought. Likewise, it is possible that one (or more) on the jury refused to go with second, because they wanted to see him die.
If it was either of these scenarios, it provides yet another reason why the death penalty should, and in time will be, banned in the United States.
EDIT to add: The prosecutor did not seek death, but rather life without parole. So my hypothetical is incorrect.
JJChambers
(1,115 posts)There is literally NO doubt that Dunn committed this murder. Why SHOULDN'T we execute him? (Had he been convicted)
morningfog
(18,115 posts)bravenak
(34,648 posts)Not a capital case, and I heard them say the max was going to be life in prison. I should find you a link but I'm kinda lazy.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)I haven't followed, I just read that they sought to convict on first degree, which is DP eligible.
morningfog
(18,115 posts)"State Attorney Angela Corey did not pursue the death penalty against Dunn. Instead, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if found guilty of first-degree murder.
The jury also has the option to consider lesser charges of second-degree murder or manslaughter."
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/2/15/michael_dunn_trial.html
sarisataka
(18,733 posts)but I agree it is very likely they hung over degree of guilt rather than an acquittal holdout.