Jury Deadlocked In Case Of Norman Man Accused Of Drowning Girl

A jury in the Norman murder trial of man accused of drowning a toddler was deadlocked Monday night.

Monday, December 13th 2010, 2:52 pm

By: News 9


Gan Matthews, News 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- A jury in the Norman murder trial of man accused of drowning a toddler was deadlocked Monday night.

Donald Reeser, 30, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 2-year-old Allie Croom. Prosecutors said Reeser killed the child in June of 2009 by dunking her under the water at Lake Stanley Draper.

A seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated for about eight hours Monday before reporting it was at an impasse. The foreman said the vote was eight to four but did not say whether those eight votes were for conviction or acquittal.

Judge Tom Lucas sent the jurors back to deliberate for another hour. Finding them still unable to reach a verdict, the judge ordered them to return at 10 a.m. Tuesday to resume deliberations.

Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said if the trial ends in a hung jury, he will retry Reeser.

The principal witness against Reeser was his seven-year-old son, Brady. The boy testified his father dunked the child several times.

"[Brady] knew his daddy didn't want him to tell, but he felt compelled to tell the truth, and he did," said Cleveland County Assistant District Attorney Susan Caswell.

During closing arguments, Reeser's attorney, Elton Jenkins, told the jury that Allie Croom's death was a tragic accident, not murder.

If the jury convicts Reeser, there are two punishment options--life with the possibility of parole, or life without the possibility of parole.

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