1 year ago
35
The jury in Jonathan "Master" Lockett's rape trial deliberated for four hours Friday without reaching a verdict. Judge Shanta Owens sent them home for the holiday weekend to return on Tuesday to continue their debate. At one point Friday, they did ask the judge how to fill out a verdict form on a specific charge if they cannot reach a unanimous decision.The judge told them to keep deliberating.The prosecution and defense have rested their cases in Lockett’s rape trial.He faces 12 total charges, including sexual torture, rape, and sodomy.Earlier Thursday, prosecutors decided to dismiss one of the rape counts, citing issues with one of their witnesses’ testimony.The third day of testimony included the jury hearing from top investigator Ben Short.He used a PowerPoint presentation to link Lockett to all of the sexual assault scenes using cell phone data.In fact, he told the jury they recovered 56 cell phones, some of which belonged to victims, from Lockett’s home and vehicle.Then, it was Lockett's turn to convince the jury of his innocence.He admitted he met up with the victims but said that each was a consensual or professional encounter.Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeHe described in graphic detail how he paid hundreds of dollars for specific sexual favors. He denied claims he used a victim’s stolen purple pistol to force the women to please him.When his attorney Jason Wollitz asked Lockett if he held one of the victims against her will and pistol-whipped her, he replied, “No, sir.” The prosecutors also played videos of some of the interactions he shot with his own cell phone. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13 When asked why, Lockett replied, “To prove that I didn't do anything out of line. I didn't force anyone to do anything. I did not harm anyone.”The defense rested its case Thursday evening.Closing arguments or rebuttal testimony is expected first thing Friday morning.
The jury in Jonathan "Master" Lockett's rape trial deliberated for four hours Friday without reaching a verdict.
Judge Shanta Owens sent them home for the holiday weekend to return on Tuesday to continue their debate.
At one point Friday, they did ask the judge how to fill out a verdict form on a specific charge if they cannot reach a unanimous decision.
The judge told them to keep deliberating.
The prosecution and defense have rested their cases in Lockett’s rape trial.
He faces 12 total charges, including sexual torture, rape, and sodomy.
Earlier Thursday, prosecutors decided to dismiss one of the rape counts, citing issues with one of their witnesses’ testimony.
The third day of testimony included the jury hearing from top investigator Ben Short.
He used a PowerPoint presentation to link Lockett to all of the sexual assault scenes using cell phone data.
In fact, he told the jury they recovered 56 cell phones, some of which belonged to victims, from Lockett’s home and vehicle.
Then, it was Lockett's turn to convince the jury of his innocence.
He admitted he met up with the victims but said that each was a consensual or professional encounter.
Follow us on social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
He described in graphic detail how he paid hundreds of dollars for specific sexual favors.
He denied claims he used a victim’s stolen purple pistol to force the women to please him.
When his attorney Jason Wollitz asked Lockett if he held one of the victims against her will and pistol-whipped her, he replied, “No, sir.”
The prosecutors also played videos of some of the interactions he shot with his own cell phone.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WVTM 13
When asked why, Lockett replied, “To prove that I didn't do anything out of line. I didn't force anyone to do anything. I did not harm anyone.”
The defense rested its case Thursday evening.
Closing arguments or rebuttal testimony is expected first thing Friday morning.
English (US)