OTTUMWA —
I’m sorry, jurors, but you must keep working.
Judge Daniel Wilson brought the jury into the courtroom after 4 p.m. Thursday.
After just over three days of discussion and review of evidence, they still had not decided on the guilt or innocence of Seth Techel, 22 of Agency. He’s the man charged with first-degree murder and non-consensual termination of a human pregnancy in the shooting death of his wife, Lisa Techel, 23.
Though Judge Wilson did not give details publicly in open court, he told the jury that he had received their written question at 3:30 p.m.
“I do not have an answer for you at this time,” he told jurors.
Furthermore, he said, he would not ask them for any answers to questions he might have about the jury deliberation process that involve “numbers,” and that he does not want them to volunteer information about the jury that would involve “numbers” to him.
He said he would consider their concern, but in the meantime, because of the nature of the case, he must ask them to return to their deliberations. Jurors appeared tired, and at least one seemed to quietly begin crying when the judge told them they’d have to keep debating the evidence.
“I apologize,” Wilson said gently, “but I believe it’s the right thing to do.”
He said he was very appreciative of the hard work they’d put into the case already: The case started with two days of jury selection beginning Feb. 19.
Deliberations started Monday afternoon. Jurors continued debating Tuesday, Wednesday and all day Thursday.
“There are no set rules concerning the duration of jury deliberation,” Judge Wilson said in reference to a general question from the Courier. “It is very much discretionary with the Court, after input from counsel for the parties, how long a jury is permitted to deliberate.”
That’s the general rule for all trials.
More specifically in the State v. Techel case, he said, he had just finished a meeting with the attorneys and Seth Techel present.
That meeting, at 3:30 p.m., was when the decision was made that at least for now, “the jury will be permitted to continue its deliberation.”
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
Techel jury ends Thursday without verdict
- CNHI/Southeast Iowa
-
-
Kia Optima is a hit with the buying public
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.
-
The story behind the viral deer on a bus video
The way bus driver John Porter tells it, some of his co-workers now call him “John Deer.”
-
Identity-theft victim jailed on culprit’s warrant
Kurt Millard spent most of last weekend in jail, locked up on another man’s arrest warrant. The 26-year-old resident of Joplin, Mo. could not convince his jailers they had the wrong guy.
-
SLIDESHOW: Texas storms damage homes, uproot trees
After a series of tornadoes touched down outside Dallas, residents of many Texas communities are cleaning up.
-
VIDEO: Man hands out Abercrombie clothes on Skid Row in bid to shame brand
Anger has mounted online against clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch due to comments made by its chief executive and its strategy of not making women's clothing in any size above large.
-
Feces contaminates 58 percent of public swimming pools
Human feces taints more than half of public swimming pools, a finding U.S. health officials are using to urge better personal hygiene as the summer months approach.
-
VIDEO: Bombing suspect allegedly wrote confession in boat
Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev allegedly penned a note inside the boat where he was found hiding from authorities, explaining his rationale for his part in the deadly explosion.
-
MAP: Tornadoes carve across North Texas communities
As many as 10 tornadoes touched down soouthwest of Dallas, Texas on Wednesday.
-
Editorial: Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
This amounts to spying on an American news organization -- common practice in dictatorships but scary conduct in a democratic system that prizes the public value of an independent watchdog press.
-
VIDEO: Texas tornadoes damage homes, businesses
The Dallas Morning News has the latest on the tornadoes that tore through the region Wednesday night.
-
VIDEO: Sun blasts massive flares into space
Solar activity can have a major impact on Earth. While these flares weren't aimed this way, eruptions like this can do a lot more than just cause the Northern Lights.
-
Tornadoes tear through East Texas; 6 people killed
A pack of tornadoes killed at least six people and injured dozens more in East Texas Wednesday night.
-
Severe weather could make weekend return
Forecasters say there is a significant risk of severe weather in Iowa beginning Sunday. The risk carries over into Monday as well.
-
How to get the most out of your air conditioner this summer
Experts say preventative maintenance on your air conditioner can save you hundreds of dollars.
-
Millersville players help couple resuscitate ailing child
The Millersville University baseball team came up with a great save this week, but it had nothing to do with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament being played at Point Stadium.
- More CNHI/Southeast Iowa Headlines
-
