Hung jury in South Auckland manslaughter trial

A jury could not reach a verdict in the manslaughter trial of a 29-year-old man in South Auckland. The case involved claims that he beat his partner so badly that she jumped from a moving car to escape. The trial included testimony from their young son, which conflicted with earlier statements he gave to the police. The jurors deliberated for 37 hours over nearly a week before declaring they were hopelessly deadlocked. Justice Michael Robinson acknowledged their hard work and thanked them for their efforts. He emphasized that judging others is often a difficult task. The defendant, who has name suppression to protect his son's identity, was released on bail. He now awaits the Crown's decision on whether to hold a retrial. The Crown plans to decide by early next month if they want to pursue a second trial.