Tuffree Jury Has No Verdict After 5 Hours

The jury in the Daniel Allan Tuffree murder trial deliberated for more than five hours Thursday but did not return a verdict.

Tuffree, 49, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Simi Valley police officer and faces a possible death sentence if convicted.

During six weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued that Tuffree maliciously killed Officer Michael Clark out of a deep hatred for police after officers came to his house Aug. 4, 1995, to check on his welfare.

Police had received reports from mental health case workers that Tuffree had been drinking alcohol and taking Valium and was possibly suicidal.

Tuffree’s defense attorneys have argued that the police improperly barged into his backyard. They claim that Tuffree shot Clark in self-defense after the officer fired at him.

The 12 jurors started discussing the case Wednesday afternoon after the conclusion of closing arguments. They adjourned at 4:15 p.m. after talking about 2 1/2 hours.

The jury of six men and six women was back at 9:30 a.m. Thursday and deliberated until 3:50 p.m., taking an hourlong lunch break and a 10-minute afternoon recess, the bailiff assigned to the jury said.

The jurors are expected to return this morning for further deliberations.