Mistrial Declared In Manners Trial
Posted March 26, 2010 11:59 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A mistrial has been declared in the Manners trial.
On Friday afternoon, the jury returned to the courtroom with a question. Moments later, they said they were unable to reach a decision.
Justice Ian Nordheimer dismissed the 11-member panel and declared a mistrial.
Two 20-year old men, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, were charged with first-degree murder in the death of Jordan Manners, 15.
They remain charged and will be back in court on April 1 to set a new trial date.
Manners was fatally shot inside C.W. Jefferys Collegiate on May 23, 2007.
The two accused were minors when they were charged in the slaying and are known to the public as only “J.W.” and “C.D.”
On Thursday, the jury came to Nordheimer with several questions.
“Is it possible to find a person guilty while having a reasonable doubt?” was one of the questions. They also asked for a definition of reasonable doubt.
Nordheimer asked the jury to have dinner, sleep on it and resume their deliberations on Friday.
There was little physical evidence – no fingerprints, DNA or gunshot residue – linking the two accused to the crime scene.
As well, two Crown witnesses who told police they saw the accused commit the murder recanted on the stand.
“I think both families are frustrated,” Det. Sgt. Mike Barsky said on Friday.
“I think everybody wanted a definite answer in this case, whether it was an acquittal or a conviction.”
The Crown is contemplating perjury charges against the two witnesses who changed their testimony.
