LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - A mistrial was declared Tuesday in the murder case of a former Santa Fe County sheriff’s deputy accused of killing a fellow deputy in 2014.
Jurors began deliberations Monday afternoon and told a Las Cruces judge that they couldn’t reach a decision in the Tai Chan case after nearly 14 hours of deliberations.
The jury reportedly was undecided between charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter and could not reach a consensus.
The judge said none of the jurors was willing to budge on their decisions even if given more time.
“All jurors agreed to convict Tai Chan but could not agree to which degree of criminal homicide,” Dona Ana County District Attorney Mark D’Antonio said. “We plan on retrying the case as soon as the court can set a date and will continue to pursue the best result for Jeremy Martin and his family.”
Chan had been charged with first-degree murder in Martin’s death.
The two deputies had dropped off prisoners in Arizona and were staying the night at a Las Cruces hotel in October 2014 when shots were fired, killing Martin.
Prosecutors said Chan deliberately shot multiple times at Martin as the unarmed victim tried to escape down a hotel hallway.
Chan’s lawyers argued that Martin had been the aggressor in the argument leading up to the shooting and Chan opened fire in self-defense.
After the judge declared it a mistrial, Chan told Albuquerque TV station KOB that it was difficult not knowing if he has been exonerated.
“It’s hard,” Chan said. “I’m fighting for my freedom.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.