Camarena Jurors Report ‘Problems,’ Adjourn Early
Jurors in the Enrique Camarena murder trial in Los Angeles federal court halted their deliberations almost an hour early Thursday, after informing U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie that they were “having problems.” Rafeedie granted the jurors’ request that they be allowed to quit early.
The nature of the “problems” was not specified in the note from the jurors. But Rafeedie directed all attorneys in the case to be present in court today at 9 a.m. with their clients. Thus far, the jurors have made five requests for more information from the judge, including sending him a note Thursday asking for an explanation clarifying the difference between some of the charges in the indictment.
Three Mexicans and a Honduran face life sentences if convicted. The charges stem from the 1985 Guadalajara murders of Camarena, a U.S. drug agent, and three other men. The jurors began deliberations Monday, following eight weeks of testimony.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
