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WFAE's coverage of the case of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Randall Kerrick charged with voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jonathan Ferrell. The court case ended in a mistrial.

Mistrial Declared In Trial Of Randall Kerrick

Davie Hinshaw
/
Charlotte Observer
Judge Robert Ervin, seen here during a pre-trial motion.

UPDATE: 9:10pm

Protests continue  this evening after a judge declared a mistrial in the Randall Kerrick case.  Police closed several roads as they made their way through uptown.  

The family of Jonathan Ferrell addressed reporters outside the courthouse shortly after court was dismissed.   

"I feel like we need to keep fighting.  We must get justice," said his mother Georgia Ferrell.

CMPD Police Chief Kerr Putney waited for the family to finish before speaking with reporters at the Government Center.  

"It is important for our community to understand that this department is not defined by one incident. Nor will one incident diminish all the good work that we, with our community, have continued to perform," said Putney.  

TB082115Breaking5pm.mp3
WFAE's special coverage after the judge declared the Randall Kerrick trial a mistrial.

UPDATE 4: 19 P.M.

Judge Robert Ervin declared a mistrial after the jury foreman told him there was no reasonable possibility of reaching a unanimous verdict. 

UPDATE 3:04 P.M.

Shortly before 3:00 p.m., the jury entered the courtroom to report on the progress of deliberations since lunch. The jury foreperson told Judge Ervin that discussions taking place have been productive. 

Upon hearing that, Judge Ervin sent the jurors back to continue deliberating. 

UPDATE 12:28 p.m.

The jury in the Randall Kerrick trial told Judge Robert Ervin at about 12:15 p.m. today that it is deadlocked on a verdict. 

The jury has taken three votes. The first vote was 7 -5. The second and third votes were  8 - 4 vote. It's not know which direction the jury is leaning.

Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin gave the jury what’s called an “Allen Charge” and instructed them to return to deliberations after a lunch break. He said in part:

"Each juror must decide the case within himself or herself, but only after an impartial consideration of the evidence with your fellow jurors. In the course of your deliberations, you should not hesitate to reexamine your own views and change your opinion if you’re convinced it’s erroneous. However, you should not surrender your honest conviction as to the weight or effect of the evidence solely because of the opinion of your fellow jurors or for the mere purpose of returning verdicts." - Judge Robert Ervin's "Allen Charge" to the jury.

WFAE will have continuing coverage as the news develops.