These 6 Jury Deliberations Are the Longest in American History. Here’s What Their Verdicts Were

In the American judicial system, the role of a jury is pivotal, with citizens summoned to fulfil their civic duty by deliberating on both civil and criminal cases. Although many trials conclude swiftly, some necessitate extensive deliberation periods, highlighting the complexity of the issues at hand. Recent cases have drawn national attention not only for their tragic nature but also for their protracted jury discussions, such as those seen in the cases of Karen Read and Lindsay Clancy.

Karen Read faced accusations related to the death of her police officer boyfriend in a trial that reached a deadlock after five days, leading to a mistrial. In her retrial, the jury deliberated for four days before clearing her of all charges. In a similarly heartbreaking case, Lindsay Clancy has been on trial for the alleged murder of her three children. The jury has struggled to arrive at a unanimous verdict, extending their deliberations beyond six days. During this period, the judge issued a Tuey-Rodriguez instruction, encouraging the jurors to work towards a resolution.

The amount of time a jury deliberates can vary wildly; there are no established limits to how long discussions can continue. Thus, some juries require just hours to reach a conclusion, while others may take weeks or even months. Notable cases throughout American legal history illustrate this phenomenon.

One prominent example is the trial of Emanuel Lopes, which unfolded in 2023. Lopes stood accused of murdering Weymouth Police Sergeant Michael Chesna and an elderly woman, Vera Adams, during an altercation. Prosecutors argued that the murders were premeditated acts, while Lopes’ defence posited that he was insane at the time of the incident. After six days of deliberation, the jury was unable to reach a conclusion, resulting in a mistrial. During his retrial in 2024, the jurors also expressed difficulty, but they ultimately delivered a unanimous guilty verdict, sentencing Lopes to two consecutive life terms.

Another case of note involved the infamous Hillside Stranglers, Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono Jr., who were convicted of a series of murders in Los Angeles in the late 1970s. Their trial, which lasted two years and involved exhaustive evidence and witness testimonies, eventually saw the jury deliberate for a substantial 20 days before finding Buono guilty of multiple counts of murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

In a different vein, the Ruby Ridge trial also had extended jury deliberations lasting 20 days. It arose from a deadly confrontation between federal marshals and Randy Weaver over firearms charges which resulted in tragic casualties. The jury ultimately acquitted both Weaver and his friend Kevin Harris of the most serious charges, pointing to alleged misconduct by government agents as a significant factor in their decision.

Perhaps one of the most complex trials in American history was the McMartin Preschool case that spanned three years. During the trial in the late 1980s, over 300 counts of child abuse were leveled against members of the McMartin family. The jury took nine weeks to deliberate, ultimately exonerating most of the defendants, though Ray Buckey, one of the accused, faced further trials that did not result in convictions.

The Oakland “Riders” police corruption trial took even longer, with jury deliberations stretching to 55 days. This case involved allegations of misconduct among police officers in Oakland, California, and ultimately led to a split decision in which the jury acquitted some officers while remaining deadlocked on additional charges. The aftermath saw federal oversight imposed on the Oakland Police Department.

The longest jury deliberation recorded in US history is attributed to a civil case involving Shirley and Jason McClure, who alleged discrimination under the Fair Housing Act against the city of Long Beach. Following an arduous legal battle that took over a decade to reach trial, the jury deliberated for four and a half months before returning a verdict in favour of the McClures, awarding them $22.5 million.

These extended jury deliberations reflect the complexities of the cases and the weight of the decisions placed upon jurors. In instances where verdicts hinge on nuanced interpretations of evidence and difficult moral questions, jurors may find themselves entangled in their discussions for longer periods. As such, each jury’s journey to a verdict not only shapes the outcome of specific trials but also underscores the larger principles of justice and civic engagement within the wider society.