MANSFIELD — The Mansfield murder trial of Deshawn Dowdell ended in a hung jury on Tuesday afternoon in Richland County Common Pleas Court.
The four-man, eight-woman jury’s decision came at about 2 p.m., after informing Judge Brent Robinson of its difficulty in reaching a unanimous verdict.
“Is that your conclusion, that the jury is not going to be able to reach a verdict?” Robinson asked the jury foreperson.
“Yes, your honor,” she said.
Robinson accepted the conclusion and declared a hung jury. Robinson was not available for comment following the trial, noting the case is still pending.
Richland County Prosecutor Gary Bishop said he and his team plan to retry the case. He said he would recommend to Robinson that Dowdell remain incarcerated between trials.
Dowdell is charged with murder, two counts of discharging a firearm at or near a prohibited area and improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. The charges are in connection to a shooting incident in which Terrence Harris was killed on April 8. Harris was 19. He was struck in the back by a bullet, prosecuting attorney Jodie Schumacher said during opening arguments. The bullet when through his lung and struck his heart.
Dowdell was arrested after police found him on Sept. 12 when he fell through the ceiling of his Wood Street apartment. Guns and drugs were recovered by authorities at his apartment, authorities noted.
