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Hung Jury, Mistrial in New Port Richey Death Penalty Trial (Videos)

On Behalf of | Dec 14, 2009 | Criminal Law

A Pasco County jury deliberated for almost 10 hours after listening to several days of testimony in the capital murder trial of John Ditullio Jr. They were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, even after being sent back to the jury room earlier by the judge to keep trying. They reached an impasse – 10 jurors voting “not guilty” and 2 jurors holding out for a guilty verdict.

The judge declared a mistrial. Ditullio remains charged with capital murder and attempted murder. He faces the death penalty if convicted. Ditullio is represented by Tampa Bay area capital murder defense attorney Bjorn Brunvand and his associate Jervis Wise.

  • WTSP.com: December 12th Update: Jury deadlocks in tattooed neo-Nazi’s Murder Trial

Jury deadlocks in tattooed neo-Nazi’s murder trial (view on WTSP.com)

“I’m disappointed, but at the same time we’ll come back and do it again,” Brunvand told the media. “Hopefully, this time it’ll be 12-0, and they’ll recognize that he’s innocent of this charge.”

The defense acknowledged Ditullio’s association with a neo-Nazi group, as alleged by the prosecution, but argued that Ditullio was set up by other members of the group. Ditullio implicated another member of the neo-Nazi group as the attacker.

Another defense witness, who lived in the neo-Nazi compound, testified that this other group member confessed the killing and assault to her.

Over the course of two weeks, the Ditullio case was featured on several local and national television news outlets:

  • CNN.com: Suspect’s $150 daily makeover

Prime News debates whether taxpayers should pay to have an accused murderer cover up his tattoos during his trial (view on CNN.com).

  • WTSP.com: Taxpayers pay to cover up neo-Nazi’s tattoos

Opening statements are set to begin in the trial of a self-described neo-Nazi accused of murdering a 17-year-old man. But when 23-year-old John Ditullio, Jr. takes a seat in the courtroom tomorrow, the jury won’t see several tattoos on his face and neck that were ordered covered up – at taxpayers’ expense (view on WTSP.com) .

  • WTSP.com: Neo-Nazi takes stand in his murder trial

A self-proclaimed neo-Nazi accused of murdering a 17-year-old boy and stabbing a woman took the stand today in his own defense (view on WTSP.com) .

  • TBO.com: Neo-Nazi Murder Trial

December 11, 2009: Jurors are deliberating regarding the case of a self-proclaimed Neo-Nazi accused of murdering a teenager (view on TBO.com) .

  • WTSP.com: Update: Hung Jury in the Trail of a Neo-Nazi

Ten jurors voted for not guilty while two others voted for a conviction (view on WTSP.com).

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