Jurors in the Taft Union High School trial told the judge Tuesday morning they were unable to reach a unanimous decision in the case against Bryan Oliver, prompting the trial judge to attempt an unusual solution to the logjam.
Jurors asked the judge if there were more exhibits they could see, if there were more instructions they could hear or if attorneys could offer more explanations.
Judge John Lua chose the latter option.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., Prosecutor Mark Pafford and defense attorney Paul Cadman each will have 30 minutes to describe the differences between attempted murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter to the jurors.
Then jurors will go to lunch and deliberations will resume after.
There's no question Oliver, then 16, fired the shotgun blasts inside the Taft high school classroom in January 2013. One student was injured and a second shot missed another student.
The question is why – and that's the difference between attempted murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter.
Oliver testified he was relentlessly bullied and he couldn't take it anymore. He said he is gay and was often called names relating to his sexual orientation and was sexually assaulted by one student. Oliver claims he blacked out before and during the shooting.
Cadman, a deputy public defender, said constant bullying at the high school led Oliver to snap.
Pafford, the chief deputy district attorney, told the jury this was a case of revenge. He said Oliver was bullied but planned to shoot Cleveland.
Jurors asked to hear the transcript Monday morning of the testimony from Jacob Nichols, another student Oliver is accused of targeting – along with the record of closing arguments. Monday afternoon, jurors requested clarification of the charges.
Jurors asked the judge if there were more exhibits they could see, if there were more instructions they could hear or if attorneys could offer more explanations.
Judge John Lua chose the latter option.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., Prosecutor Mark Pafford and defense attorney Paul Cadman each will have 30 minutes to describe the differences between attempted murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter to the jurors.
Then jurors will go to lunch and deliberations will resume after.
There's no question Oliver, then 16, fired the shotgun blasts inside the Taft high school classroom in January 2013. One student was injured and a second shot missed another student.
The question is why – and that's the difference between attempted murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter.
Oliver testified he was relentlessly bullied and he couldn't take it anymore. He said he is gay and was often called names relating to his sexual orientation and was sexually assaulted by one student. Oliver claims he blacked out before and during the shooting.
Cadman, a deputy public defender, said constant bullying at the high school led Oliver to snap.
Pafford, the chief deputy district attorney, told the jury this was a case of revenge. He said Oliver was bullied but planned to shoot Cleveland.
Jurors asked to hear the transcript Monday morning of the testimony from Jacob Nichols, another student Oliver is accused of targeting – along with the record of closing arguments. Monday afternoon, jurors requested clarification of the charges.
