Published: March 03, 2006 02:59 pm      

Could Camm jury be hung?

Trial deliberations reach day four

BOONVILLE — Today, the jury entered its fourth day of deliberations in the David Camm case — already a day longer than it took jurors in his first murder trial to reach a guilty verdict.

Camm, a former Indiana State Police trooper, is on trial for the shooting deaths of his wife and children in 2000. His first conviction was overturned in 2004.

As jury deliberations stretched into Thursday afternoon, Camm’s attorneys and family members said they believe the jury could be deadlocked.

“I think they’re dug in,” said Sam Lockhart, Camm’s uncle.

Earlier Katharine “Kitty” Liell, lead defense attorney, said she also believed jurors could be split, but said the jury had not sent out any notes or otherwise indicating that was the case.

The jury did ask its first question of the court since deliberations began, requesting to see transcripts of a phone conversation Camm had with a state trooper shortly before his arrest and an interview between Camm and troopers.

Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson didn’t make an appearance at the courthouse Thursday and couldn’t be reached for comment.

Jurors, who have been sequestered since deliberations began, met at the Warrick County Judicial Center for the third day beginning at 9:30 a.m. and leaving 11 1/2 hours later. The jury had spent about 34 hours deliberating by that time. It took Camm’s first jury 29 hours to reach a guilty verdict.

If the jury is having trouble reaching a consensus, this is what will happen, according to the Indiana Rules of Court.

The court — in the presence of attorneys for both sides — may ask the jury how it and counsel can assist the process. After receiving an answer, if any, from the jury, the court may direct further deliberations take place.

It’s unclear if the jury will break for the weekend if a verdict hasn’t been reached.

An update will be available on the Tribune Web site later today.