A mistrial has been filed by
About 200-300 people marched down Market Street in San Francisco for Peter Liang
the lawyers of ex-NYPD officer, Peter Liang.
The Daily News reports that juror #9, Michael Vargas said that when he was a child, his father accidently shot and killed a friend. This was not disclosed during jury selection when he was asked if anyone close to him have been arrested or charged with a crime.
In an exclusive statement obtained by AsAmNews from the Director of the Free Masons, Karlin Chan said, At the time of jury selection, Vargas did know and should have disclosed the information. It’s a yes or no answer and not open to personal interpretation.
This motion for a mistrial comes less than two weeks before the sentencing day, April 14 for Liang, but that may now be pushed back if the court orders a hearing on Vargas.
Liang is currently facing up to 15 years for manslaughter in an accidental shooting of Akai Gurley in 2014.
Last month, the Brooklyn District Attorney, Ken Thompson, recommended that Liang serve no prison time, but instead, a 5 year probation and 500 hours of community service. This is a vastly different attitude than he had when he first wanted charged Liang. The fate of Liang rests with Justice Danny Chun who presides over the case .
Thompson’s statement surprised supporters of Gurley who want to see Liang go to prison and have vowed to “pack the courts” and “shut the city down” on April 14 according to social media. For the supporters of Liang, they see Thompson’s recommendation as a sigh of relief.
What are your thoughts about the juror lying and a possible mistrial?
