The Megan Martzen trial comes to an end with a deadlocked jury. Martzen is the former Valley babysitter accused of beating and killing a toddler. Thursday morning, the judge declared a mistrial after the jury announced it could not reach an agreement.
One of the jurors said a hung jury represents this case very well, because there was not enough evidence to prove guilt or innocence. The deadlock doesn't mean Martzen is in the clear.
A hung jury wasn't the outcome anyone in the Megan Martzen murder trial hoped for. After a long four years, Martzen walked out of the courthouse Thursday with a still uncertain future.
Martzen says,"God has been good through this and we just have to keep trusting him through this. God is really good and we'll be okay."
Defense attorney Jeff Hammerschmidt says, "I was very hopeful that we would get a twelve vote not guilty on both counts, but it's the jury's decision. It's hard work and emotional anytime a child dies."
The jury deadlocked on both charges. Jurors say reaching a verdict was doomed from the start.
Juror Jennifer Aleman says, "I feel like people's minds when leaving the courtroom when we went into deliberation, were already set. Nobody was going to budge."
"There were no absolutes. They were all speculation. They were all like well this could have happened, maybe this happened. That's not worth convicting a person sending her to jail," says juror Laura Hicks.
Hicks is one of ten jurors who voted Martzen not guilty of second degree murder, and one of eight who believed she was not guilty of child abuse. Martzen's mom says the favorable split was a relief.
Martzen's mom April Roque says, "We're very thankful for the jurors who stood behind Megan."
"I feel the defense themselves played out a really good story of what could have happened, they explained all the injuries very well," says Aleman.
Two jurors disagreed and wouldn't budged. They believe Martzen killed 17 month old Ella Van Leeuwen. Now, four years after the little girl's death, there's still no closure for either side.
"I am so sorry for Ella's family because we will never know what happened, they will never know what happened and yet they have to grieve the loss of this beautiful little child," says Hicks.
We did try to reach out to the Van Leeuwen's, but they were not up for comment.
Martzen's defense attorney says the not guilty lean should be enough reason for the prosecution to dismiss this case.
The district attorney's office has the final say in whether to dismiss the case or try it again. The defense and prosecution will meet March 7th at a status hearing to discuss what's next.
TXT 24
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