Karen Read v. Commonwealth

Summary

The court held that the mistrial was manifestly necessary because the jury repeatedly reported an impasse after extensive deliberations, and the trial judge acted within her discretion by declining to seek a partial verdict or further inquiry. The court also held that posttrial juror accounts could not establish acquittals because no verdict was announced, returned, or recorded in open court. The denial of the motion to dismiss and the request for a posttrial juror inquiry was affirmed, and the matter was remanded to the county court for entry of judgment denying relief.