05-13-2013, 12:08 PM
The jury deliberating in the capital murder trial against former Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell says they're hung on two counts.
The jury of seven women and five men are weighing more than 250 charges against the Gosnell with the most serious being four counts of first-degree murder.
It is currently unclear on which charges the jury is deadlocked, but the group told the court it has reached unanimous decisions on all other counts.
Around 10:00 a.m. Monday, the jury passed a note to Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart explaining their situation. The admission came on the 10th day of deliberations.
By law, according to attorneys for both sides, Judge Minehart is required to re-instruct the jury to deliberate on the two charges a second time and attempt to reach a verdict.
Judge Minehart brought the jury into the courtroom on the third-floor of the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center around 11:15 a.m.
Over a five minute meeting, he reminded the jury they must be unanimous on all counts and asked the group to return to the jury room and discuss the charges further. The group was grim-faced as they were led from the court.
Judge Minehart called the jury sincere, considerate and serious. The judge also said he wanted to make sure the group was not confused over the charges.
The jury now has three options: return to court with a question, request to re-examine evidence to try and break the deadlock or re-iterate they'll be unable to reach a consensus on the charges.
[url=http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Gosnell-Murder-Deliberations-Stretch-into-10th-Day-207178491.html]Story[/url]