Jury Hung in King Murder Trial, Report Says

[William769]

Reports indicate a jury has been unable to come to a decision in the murder trial of gay teen Lawrence King, who was shot twice in the head by a classmate in February 2008.

The Los Angeles Times says the 12-member jury is hung and that a mistrial will likely be declared. The two-month case has hinged on whether 17-year-old McInerney should be convicted of first-degree murder with hate crime charges or voluntary manslaughter. The former charge would net McInerney at least 53 years in prison, the latter, only about 20.

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/09/01/Jury_Hung_in_King_Murder_Trial,_Report_Says/

[Lionessa]

1. Seems a big disparity between 1st degeee w/ hate crime to vol. manslaughter.

Why isn't it simply 1st degree with hate crime or 1st degree without hate crime? I don't understand the multiple level drop in charges for their choice.

[William769]

2. Heres the article on it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/24/larry-king-murder-trial-j_n_935867.html

[Lionessa]

3. interesting, thank you. I didn't think judges could alter charges like that.

I don't know where I got the idea, but I thought that charges had to be considered as presented by the prosecution, end of discussion. My bad, I guess.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

4. Mistrial is not acquital, right? There can be another trial?