After 10 and a half hours of deliberation Thursday and Friday, jurors in the Tawana "Tart" Blair murder trial announced that they were deadlocked.
Judge Amy Reedy proceeded to dismiss all counts of first-degree murder and second-degree murder (three of each) against Ms. Blair, who had been shot herself in the Valentine's Day triple slaying in Cleveland a decade ago. Ms. Blair was shot along with the three people who died - O.J. Blair, 18; Cayci Higgins, 19; and Dawn Rogers, 25.
The judge also acquitted Ms. Blair on especially aggravated robbery charges.
The only remaining charge is facilitation of murder.
The judge's actions were made at the request of Ms. Blair's attorney, Lee Davis of Chattanooga, after the jurors announced they were hung up. All further proceedings were set for Nov. 20.
Attorney Davis said he believes that the state may be precluded from pursuing the remaining charge after the acquittals.
He said, "An acquittal on these charges is, in my opinion, a bar to later proceedings on facilitation. But, ultimately that will remain a decision that we will put to the court and Judge Reedy shall decide."
When asked about Ms. Blair's reaction to today's news, he said, "Tawana has lived with this tragedy for more than a decade. On Feb. 14, 1999, she was shot and left for dead. In this senseless quadruple shooting, she lost her partner, Ms. Rogers, her best friend, O.J. Blair, and his girlfriend, Ms. Higgins. Tawana is relieved that Judge Reedy took the care to hear this case and she is deeply respectful for the time and care that this jury took in their deliberations.
"Tawana's thoughts and prayers are first for the Rogers, Higgins and Blair families and the many relatives who attended the week-long trial."
Attorneys Davis and Bryan Hoss thanked the jury for their attention throughout the trial.
Judge Reedy reduced Ms. Blair's bond from $100,000 to $75,000.
Maurice Johnson earlier was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Michael Younger is set to go to trial in February.