NJ jury takes break after 1st day of deliberating in triple schoolyard killing trial
By APThursday, May 20, 2010
Jurors take break in NJ schoolyard killing trial
NEWARK, N.J. — A jury has recessed until Monday as it decides the fate of the first of six defendants charged with killing three college-bound friends in New Jersey’s largest city.
The panel began deliberations Thursday afternoon in Newark in the case of Rodolfo Godinez (goh-DEEN’-ez), who faces murder, robbery and weapons charges.
At one point jurors sent a note to the judge saying there was “a serious issue” with one juror. The judge sent them back to address the dispute.
Three victims were shot execution-style. A fourth survived and testified against Godinez. All four were attending or about to attend Delaware State University.
Prosecutors tried to portray Godinez as a gang member who orchestrated the killings. His attorney says Godinez was at the scene but didn’t participate in the attacks.
