1st Day of Jury Deliberation Ends at Lucas Murder Trial

The jury considering six murder charges against David Lucas ended its first day of discussions Monday without reaching a verdict.

An early verdict, however, is not expected for Lucas, 33, a Spring Valley carpet cleaner; the trial lasted five months, and the jury heard from 176 witnesses.

The San Diego Superior Court jury heard 50 minutes of detailed instructions from Judge Laura Hammes before deliberating.

Lucas is charged with killing USD student Anne Swanke, 22, on Nov. 20, 1984, after her car ran out of gas at a La Mesa intersection; Rhonda Strang, 24, and the 3-year-old child, Amber Fisher, she was baby-sitting in her Lakeside house on Oct. 23, 1984; real estate saleswoman Gayle Garcia, 29, in a vacant Spring Valley house Dec. 8, 1981, and Suzanne Jacobs, 31, and her 3-year-old son, Colin, in their Normal Heights house May 4, 1979.

Kidnaping and attempted-murder charges involve a June 8, 1984, assault on Jodie Santiago Robertson, 34, of Seattle outside an El Cajon restaurant.

Robertson is the only known survivor of the throat-slashing series and has identified Lucas as her attacker.

Attorneys gave three days of closing arguments last week. A prosecutor urged first-degree convictions on all of the homicide charges and a finding of special circumstances allegations, which could send Lucas to the gas chamber if he is convicted.

Defense attorneys argued for acquittals, saying the case against Lucas was circumstantial and the murders may have been committed by others.

Lucas has remained in County Jail since his Dec. 16, 1984, arrest. Jury selection took 3 1/2 months, beginning last August.