Judge declares mistrial in case against former UNL student accused of raping woman in dorm; all-male

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Emily Nohr

LINCOLN — A judge declared a mistrial Friday after a jury deadlocked in a first-degree sexual assault case.

The alleged assault took place in September 2015 in a dorm room at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The 12-member jury — all of them men — deliberated for about seven hours in the case against Christopher W. Petersen, now 19.

Friday, Lancaster County District Judge Jodi Nelson asked the presiding juror several times if the jury was able to reach a unanimous decision, and if more time for deliberations would help the jury reach a verdict.

FULL story at link. Complete title: Judge declares mistrial in case against former UNL student accused of raping woman in dorm; all-male jury was deadlocked

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/judge-declares-mistrial-in-case-against-former-unl-student-accused/article_d1e872b1-0e70-5405-a370-73d507cd8bbe.html

[7962]

1. Well, mistrial means RETRIAL. nt

[elljay]

3. Depends on the hang

Former prosecutor here. We don't have enough info. This could have been a very weak case with one or two jurors holding on for conviction or a very strong case with one or two jurors who refused to convict. If the hang count is high for conviction (e.g. 10-2 to convict), there is likely to be a retrial. If it is 6-6, probably not unless there is a political reason for proceeding.

[7962]

8. Thank you for the backround

I guess maybe if the hang was 6-6 the prosecutor may try for a plea bargain?

[elljay]

10. Yep

Though the DA is likely to have offered one before. Very few cases go to trial- maybe 1-2%. A sexual assault case with no witnesses or physical evidence of assault (e.g. defensive wounds) is really hard to prove. Wouldn't be surprised if the defendant were offered a plea bargain before trial but refused. Having to register for life as a sex offender is a severe consequence and could cause a defendant to take a chance at trial. Hopefully there will be follow up on this story and we can see what happens.

[geek tragedy]

2. all male jury, what the fuck? nt

[scscholar]

5. 2^12 = 4096

There's some steep odds against that being legitimate. Sounds like a crooked court.

[WhiteTara]

4. That's disheartening.

I hope they retry him.

[Ford_Prefect]

6. Supporting article (below) clarifies some of the situation and testimony.

http://www.omaha.com/news/crime/unl-dorm-room-rape-case-rested-in-hands-of-male/article_3c059d6e-3428-11e6-a1fb-df69b691d70b.html

[pansypoo53219]

7. all men? is this a sharia state???

[Odin2005]

9. ALL MALE JURY??? What fucking century is this???