Jurors discuss ex-deputy's second mistrial in murder case

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — Jurors deliberated the murder case of former Santa Fe County sheriff's deputy Tai Chan for less than four hours and were unable to reach a unanimous decision, leading to a second mistrial. Defense attorneys for Chan said Tuesday that no juror agreed to a first-degree murder conviction in shooting death of deputy Jeremy Martin during an alcohol-fueled dispute. But some jurors told the Las Cruces Sun-News said that statement was misleading. Two jurors said three panelists believed Chan had killed Martin with deliberate intent, but the others weren't convinced. So, deliberations turned to second-degree murder. Only five jurors supported that conviction, sending the deliberations to voluntary manslaughter. But after the jury voted 6-6 on that charge they informed the judge that they were deadlocked. A second vote also ended in a stalemate, then a mistrial was declared. District Attorney Mark D'Antonio said he expected to make a decision next week on whether to seek another trial.