A jury’s paperwork mix-up resulted in a central Illinois choose saying a not responsible verdict in a homicide trial, solely to tell the defendant minutes later that he had actually been convicted.
Micha Gordon and his lawyer hugged Thursday after Peoria County Circuit Choose John Vespa spoke the phrases “not responsible” in saying the jury’s obvious verdict on a first-degree homicide cost.
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However the jurors instantly appeared puzzled on the verdict the choose had learn. It turned out the panel of 12 jurors had crammed out the fallacious type, and after about 5 minutes, Vespa learn a brand new verdict: responsible, the (Peoria) Journal Star reported.
Micha Gordon was convicted of first-degree homicide, authorities say.
Gordon, 55, now faces no less than 20 and probably as much as 60 years in jail when he’s sentenced March 24 within the August 2021, stabbing dying of Rolando Westbrook, 37.
Gordon stated he was jumped by Westbrook and used his knife to attempt to fend off the youthful however bigger man, whose physique was discovered with a number of stab wounds.
Gordon testified that the stabbing occurred after he and Westbrook had argued about alcohol after they’d been individually ingesting and partying with mates at a public housing advanced in Peoria.
Supply: Fox Information
