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Judge Declares Mistrial In Doody Retrial

An Arizona judge Thursday declared a mistrial in the case of a man charged with killing nine people at a West Valley Buddhist temple in 1991. The judge cited a jury impasse in his decision.

The judge's mistrial declaration means 39-year-old Johnathan Doody will face another retrial, possibly starting late next month. The retrial that ended Thursday began on Aug. 12 after an appeals court had overturned his previous conviction, saying Doody had not been read his rights.

Jurors had deliberated for about seven days over two weeks when they informed the judge Wednesday they had reached an impasse. Deliberations had started on September 24. One juror was removed and replaced after complaining the case had become too emotional.

The reconfigured panel started deliberations over on Oct. 3, but jurors complained again that a separate juror was refusing to deliberate further. That juror told the judge she had already made up her mind and felt badgered by the others.

Doody was originally convicted in 1993 and sentenced to 281 years in prison.

Mark Brodie is a co-host of The Show, KJZZ’s locally produced news magazine. Since starting at KJZZ in 2002, Brodie has been a host, reporter and producer, including several years covering the Arizona Legislature, based at the Capitol.