San Diego

Jury deliberations began Friday in the trial of Deputy Dist. Atty. Wayne Mayer on a misdemeanor charge of petty theft.

Mayer, co-prosecutor this summer in the retrial of Sagon Penn, is accused of stealing a power saw and portable drill from the back of a pick-up truck parked at DeAnza Cove on June 14.

His defense was based on the assertion that he was drinking heavily, caused in part by stress stemming from the highly publicized Penn trial, and that as a result he could not recall taking the tools.

Following final arguments by Deputy Atty. Gen. John Swan and defense lawyer Peter Hughes in San Diego Municipal Court, the jury deliberated for about four hours before recessing for the weekend.

Mayer is on paid leave from his $65,000-per-year post pending the outcome of the case.