Ryan 'Not Guilty' Of Murder
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Nearly 12 hours after deliberations started in the Jason Ryan murder trial, the verdict was in.
"Not guilty."
Ryan's family responded with relieved sighs and a collective "thank you, God," while Jill Phillips' family sat in stunned silence before tears started to flow.
More than a week of testimony, mostly from the prosecution, ended with final arguments Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. At 9:47 p.m. Wednesday, the jury re-entered the courtroom with its verdict. A few minutes later it was over, and Ryan was a free man.
Ryan was cleared of the April 2001 murder of Phillips, whose partially nude body was found in Turkey Creek June 10.
"I am obviously pleased, I think Jason is obviously extremely pleased," said defense attorney Mike Miner.
The jury deliberated from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., when members told the court they had reached an impasse. The jury was then brought into the courtroom and informed that according to a new rule at the state level, the jury could ask the court and the attorneys for assistance.
After leaving to discuss and come to a consensus on information needed, members of the jury returned with three questions for the court: "Can alternates be allowed to speak?" "Could we re-hear Matt Lauer's testimony?" and "Can anyone be put back on the stand?"
While alternates could not speak and no one could be put back on the stand, jurors were allowed to re-hear Lauer's testimony.
Once the testimony was heard again, the jury left the courtroom to continue deliberations.
At 8 p.m., the jury was back in the courtroom, saying it was deadlocked. Once the court learned of the deadlock, Judge Rex Reed re-read all jury instructions as the Indiana Supreme Court says is proper procedure.
After hearing all instructions again, the jury went back to its deliberations.
The last time the jury returned to the courtroom, it revealed its verdict.
After the jury left the courtroom, Ryan hugged his family before going back to the jail to retrieve his belongings. Then Ryan was discharged from the Kosciusko County Jail and his surety bond was released. [[In-content Ad]]
Nearly 12 hours after deliberations started in the Jason Ryan murder trial, the verdict was in.
"Not guilty."
Ryan's family responded with relieved sighs and a collective "thank you, God," while Jill Phillips' family sat in stunned silence before tears started to flow.
More than a week of testimony, mostly from the prosecution, ended with final arguments Wednesday morning around 10 a.m. At 9:47 p.m. Wednesday, the jury re-entered the courtroom with its verdict. A few minutes later it was over, and Ryan was a free man.
Ryan was cleared of the April 2001 murder of Phillips, whose partially nude body was found in Turkey Creek June 10.
"I am obviously pleased, I think Jason is obviously extremely pleased," said defense attorney Mike Miner.
The jury deliberated from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., when members told the court they had reached an impasse. The jury was then brought into the courtroom and informed that according to a new rule at the state level, the jury could ask the court and the attorneys for assistance.
After leaving to discuss and come to a consensus on information needed, members of the jury returned with three questions for the court: "Can alternates be allowed to speak?" "Could we re-hear Matt Lauer's testimony?" and "Can anyone be put back on the stand?"
While alternates could not speak and no one could be put back on the stand, jurors were allowed to re-hear Lauer's testimony.
Once the testimony was heard again, the jury left the courtroom to continue deliberations.
At 8 p.m., the jury was back in the courtroom, saying it was deadlocked. Once the court learned of the deadlock, Judge Rex Reed re-read all jury instructions as the Indiana Supreme Court says is proper procedure.
After hearing all instructions again, the jury went back to its deliberations.
The last time the jury returned to the courtroom, it revealed its verdict.
After the jury left the courtroom, Ryan hugged his family before going back to the jail to retrieve his belongings. Then Ryan was discharged from the Kosciusko County Jail and his surety bond was released. [[In-content Ad]]