First Full Day of Jury Deliberation Ends Without a Verdict in Fujita Trial

Jurors in the Nathaniel Fujita trial failed to reach a verdict during their first full day of deliberations.

Fujita will wait another day to learn whether the jury believes him to be guilty of first- or second-degree murder or whether it believes, as the defense argued, that he experienced a brief psychotic episode at the time of the killing.

The jury agreed to retire for the day at 3:30 p.m. after beginning deliberations at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Judge Peter Lauriat told them he expects their deliberations to resume at 9 a.m. Thursday.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Fujita faces an automatic sentence of life without the possibility of parole. A second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic sentence of life with the possibility of parole in a minimum of 15 years.

A not guilty by reason of lack of criminal responsibility verdict will result in a commitment to a mental facility for a particular period of time with the possibility of being released once the court deems him to no longer be a threat to himself or anyone else.

Fujita is also facing two charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and a charge of assault and battery.