A Los Angeles Superior Court judge declared a mistrial on Thursday for Will Skett after a jury was deadlocked with a decision. After almost two years, the man's severe DUI case has still made little progress within the courts.
The Contra Costa Times reports that William Skett was a well-known police officer, who was assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department's elite Metropolitan Division, but later put on administrative leave. He was accused of hitting two pedestrians on June 21, 2008 while backing up in a parking lot in his Hummer vehicle while he was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect then allegedly left the scene.
The man was ordered to stand trial and was charged with one count each of DUI causing injury, driving with a .08 percent blood-alcohol content and leaving the scene of an accident. At Thursday's hearing, a jury was initially split 6-6 with a guilty verdict. However, the jury eventually came to an 11-1 vote, with the majority favoring William Skett's guilt.
"I think there is serious doubt about the allegations ... I don't believe for a minute that Will Skett was the driver of that vehicle," William Skett's Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer, Scott Spindel, told the Contra Costa Times.
Because the jury verdict was not unanimous, a mistrial was declared. When this happens, FindLaw states that the case is usually retried or dismissed. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Fred Wapner has ordered that both sides in Will Skett's case are to return to court May 6 for a pretrial hearing.
Related Resources:
- What are Jury Deliberations? (FindLaw)
- Defendants' Rights During a Trial: The Bill of Rights (FindLaw)
- Find a Los Angeles DUI Attorney (FindLaw)
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