SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Prosecutors will retry a New Mexico man accused of murdering three members of an El Rancho family after a Santa Fe jury couldn't reach a verdict.
The jury of seven women and five men said Wednesday they were "hopelessly deadlocked" at 8-4 on three counts of murder. The majority believed 21-year-old Nicholas Ortiz killed 55-year-old Lloyd Ortiz, 53-year-old Dixie Ortiz and their son, 21-year-old Steven Ortiz.
Nicholas Ortiz was 16 at the time of the killings. He is not related to the victims but was a frequent guest in their home.
Defense attorney Dan Marlowe says the state didn't prove its case and a second trial won't be better.
The state had no physical evidence but relied on the accounts of two people who say they helped plan the crime.