After an Ector County jury spent about eight hours deliberating a verdict for a case involving a man diagnosed with schizophrenia, District Judge W. Stacy Trotter declared a “hung jury,” District Attorney Bobby Bland said.
At 2 p.m. Wednesday the jury began deliberating the guilt of a man charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after reportedly stabbing his father several times in 2014. Bland said by 11-11:30 p.m. the judge called it.
“Basically the case remains pending,” he said. “Anything could happen to it from here on out. We could work out a deal, dismiss it or we could re-try it.”
Three possible verdicts were being weighed for Michael Kildow Jr., 32, including guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, not guilty, or not guilty by reason of insanity. Kildow’s defense attorney, Bob Garcia Jr., pleaded with the jury during closing statements Wednesday to find his defendant not guilty by reason of insanity, as he had been diagnosed by two separate psychiatrists with schizophrenia.
Prosecutors Bill Prasher and Melissa Williams argued that while Kildow may have schizophrenia, he was in his right mind during the attack.
Bland said the case will remain pending for now.
