Jose Sucuzhanay’s 2nd Suspected Killer: Mistrial After 1 Juror Refuses to Deliberate

After one New York jury last week convicting Hakim Scott (pictured, right), one of Jose Sucuzhanay’s suspected killers, of manslaughter, separate jurors in the murder trial of the Ecuadorean immigrant, who was killed because his attackers believed he was gay, could not reach a verdict for Keith Phoenix (left), the alleged co-conspirator. After 30 hours of jury deliberation, the judge declared a mistrial.

Jurors “requested hours of testimony and re-watched a video of Phoenix admitting that he hit the victim with a bat. On Monday, they said they were deadlocked on one count but did not specify which one. They were twice given orders by Judge Patricia DiMango that they had to reach a unanimous verdict. At about 9 p.m. Tuesday, the jury sent a note to the judge saying one of the jurors was refusing to deliberate. DiMango asked them if it would be helpful to go home for the night and resume Wednesday. They shook their heads no.”

A new trial is set for June 15. Phoenix remains behind bars until then.