"Facing a possible mistrial, jurors in the felony vandalism case against five Stanford activists appeared deadlocked Thursday on a conspiracy charge, bringing prosecutors and defense attorneys back to court in one of the most serious prosecutions of pro-Palestinian supporters in the country. Attorneys were first notified of the deadlock Wednesday afternoon and asked to appear in court Thursday for a status update. Judge Hanley Chew said the jury was split 84 on the conspiracy charge,"
"On Thursday afternoon, jurors also had begun deliberating on the felony vandalism charge, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years and possible restitution. If convicted on both charges, their sentences would run concurrently. A continued deadlock on either the conspiracy or vandalism counts could result in a total or partial mistrial, leaving the door open for the prosecution to retry the case."
"The trial centers on five of the 13 individuals initially arrested in connection with damage to Stanford's executive offices during a June 2024 protest urging the university to divest from Israel-linked companies. The five German Gonzalez, Maya Burke, Taylor McCann, Hunter Taylor Black and Amy Zhai are all Stanford students or alumni. The others initially arrested either accepted plea deals or were granted diversion programs."
Jurors are reportedly deadlocked 8-4 on the conspiracy charge in the felony vandalism trial involving five Stanford students or alumni. The judge instructed jurors to continue deliberations after attorneys were notified of the split and asked to appear for a status update. Jurors also began deliberating the felony vandalism count, which carries up to three years in prison and possible restitution; convictions on both charges would run concurrently. A continued deadlock could produce a total or partial mistrial, allowing the prosecution to retry the case. The trial stems from damage to Stanford's executive offices during a June 2024 divestment protest; others arrested accepted plea deals or diversion.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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