NEW YORK - A New York City jury says it is deadlocked on the fate of a former minor league baseball player accused of beating his girlfriend's cat to death in a jealous rage.
Manhattan jurors sent the state Supreme Court judge a note Tuesday, saying they are at an impasse after two days of deliberations.
The judge ordered the jury to return Wednesday morning.
The jury has been deliberating on whether 37-year-old Joseph Petcka is guilty of aggravated animal cruelty and harassment charges.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison.
Defense lawyer Charles Hochbaum says the impasse shows that at least one juror is insisting the prosecution prove its case.
Petcka claimed he unintentionally killed his girlfriend's 8-pound declawed cat, named Norman, in self-defense.
The judge ordered the jury to return Wednesday morning.
The jury has been deliberating on whether 37-year-old Joseph Petcka is guilty of aggravated animal cruelty and harassment charges.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in prison.
Defense lawyer Charles Hochbaum says the impasse shows that at least one juror is insisting the prosecution prove its case.
Petcka claimed he unintentionally killed his girlfriend's 8-pound declawed cat, named Norman, in self-defense.
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interested wrote on Sep 24, 2008 11:10 AM: