Guard Paralyzed in Robbery Attempt Shooting : Jury Clears 1 Man, Debates Fate of His Brother

A jury has acquitted one man but was still debating the fate of his brother Wednesday on charges of attempted murder and attempted robbery in the shooting of an armored car guard in Glendale.

The Pasadena Superior Court jury found Peter Paul Giordano, 31, of Los Angeles not guilty Tuesday of all the charges. But jurors were unable by the end of the day Wednesday to reach a verdict on Alfred Anthony Giordano, 26, of Pomona.

Alfred Giordano is charged with pulling the trigger in the failed heist Dec. 31, 1987. Peter Giordano was charged with driving the getaway car.

The shooting outside Valley Check Cashiers, 6344 San Fernando Road, left the armored car guard, Howard White, paralyzed.

Deliberated All Day

Jurors deliberated all day Wednesday. Late Tuesday afternoon, the jury foreman told Judge Terry Smerling that jurors were deadlocked 11 to 1 on the accused gunman. He did not say whether the majority favored conviction or acquittal.

Smerling ordered jurors to continue deliberations, citing the length of the trial, which began the first week of April, and the amount of evidence presented.

When the verdict was read Tuesday, Peter Giordano calmly shook his attorney’s hand. The jury of seven men and five women cleared him of any involvement in the shooting, in which a gunman shot White, pocketed an empty money bag and got into a car, which was driven away.

Peter Giordano was released Tuesday evening from Los Angeles County Jail, where Alfred Giordano remained in custody. If convicted, Alfred Giordano could be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.