San Diego
Jurors ended their fifth day of deliberations Tuesday in the murder trial of former California Highway Patrol Officer Craig Peyer.
Prosecutors, following a monthlong trial, asked the jury to convict Peyer of first-degree murder.
However, instructions given to the jury by Superior Court Judge Richard D. Huffman allow for a second-degree murder conviction.
If convicted of first-degree murder, Peyer, 37, would be sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison. A second-degree murder conviction carries a sentence of 10 years to life.
Peyer, a 13-year CHP veteran, is charged with strangling Cara Knott, 20, on Dec. 27, 1986. Police said Knott was killed after a struggle on the Old U.S. 395 bridge near Interstate 15 and the Mercy Road off-ramp.
San Diego police arrested Peyer Jan. 15, 1987. He was fired in May and is currently free on $1 million bail.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
