Iowa jury asks about consequences of insanity verdict in coach killing; no decision this week

Iowa jurors end week without coach killing verdict

ALLISON, Iowa — Jurors in Iowa have ended deliberations for the week without a verdict in the first-degree murder trial of a former football player accused of killing his high school coach.

The jury is deciding the case against 24-year-old Mark Becker, charged in the June 24 shooting death of Aplington-Parkersburg coach Ed Thomas. Becker has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Jurors have deliberated for more than 17 hours over three days. On Friday afternoon, they sent a note asking the judge what would happen if they found Becker not guilty by reason of insanity.

Iowa District Court Judge Stephen Carroll responded with a note telling jurors they “have nothing to do with the consequences” of the verdict.

The jury will resume deliberations Monday morning.