Trial of Dana Chandler in murders of Mike Sisco, Karen Harkness ends in hung jury
A Kansas girl’s second trial within the double-slaying of her ex-husband and fiancée resulted in a hung jury that left the daughter of the previous couple sobbing.
After six days of deliberations, jurors couldn’t attain a verdict Thursday on two first-degree homicide costs in opposition to Dana Chandler, who prosecutors argued was a scorned ex-wife when she allegedly shot them 20 years in the past.
Each victims, Mike Sisco, 47, and Karen Harkness, 53 have been killed in Topeka in July 2002.
Jury foreman Ben Alford advised media members after the trial that seven out of 12 jurors wished to convict, however the remainder of the jury wouldn’t get on board with a responsible verdict, the Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
Hailey Sisco, the daughter of Chandler, testified she believed her mom killed her father. On the conclusion of the trial, she was seen crying as she hugged prosecutor Charles Kitt, based on the Topeka Capital-Journal.
In the meantime, Chandler, 62, was embraced by her protection lawyer Tom Bathtub, the newspaper reported.
A listening to to determine the following steps within the case will probably be held late this month.
Chandler was truly discovered responsible of the double-murder in 2012 and sentenced to life behind bars, however the Kansas Supreme Courtroom overturned the conviction due to misconduct by a prosecutor who was later disbarred.
The trial, which began Aug. 5, was delayed a number of occasions as Chandler’s protection crew filed numerous motions.
Though there was little bodily proof, the prosecutors argued she obsessed over Sisco and was bitter concerning the divorce that led to her even spying on the brand new couple. She known as him and his new beau about 700 occasions within the seven months main as much as their deaths, cellphone information indicated.
“This isn’t a case that science can remedy,” Kitt mentioned throughout the trial. “This case is about jealousy of Mike Sisco. Jealousy that Mike Sisco was capable of transfer on along with his life. Jealousy concerning the new relationship that Mike Sisco had discovered.”
Chandler claimed she was in Colorado on the time of the brutal capturing the place she lived, however tales about her particular routes have been inconsistent, based on court docket information. Her lawyer claimed police ignored different suspects as a result of they have been too centered on her.
The double-murder was a chilly case till CBS’s “48 Hours” aired an episode on the thriller in 2009, which sparked renewed curiosity within the case.
Shawnee County District Legal professional Mike Kagay mentioned in an announcement to the Topeka Capital-Journal his workplace will “conduct a complete evaluation and evaluation of the case and the just lately concluded trial,” as prosecutors think about making an attempt Chandler for a 3rd time.
With Put up wires
