Posted on: Tuesday, August 14, 2001

Mistrial is declared in 1985 child murder case

By David Waite
Advertiser Staff Writer

A mistrial was declared yesterday in the case of a man accused of killing his 22-month-old stepdaughter more than 16 years ago after the jury foreman told the judge that the jury was hopelessly deadlocked.

City Deputy Prosecutor Maurice Arrisgado said his office will request a new trial for Vern E. King, who was tried on one count of murder as a result of the death of Kareatha Gray on May 8, 1985.

The prosecution maintains that King beat and suffocated the toddler.

But during his testimony, King said he never had any trouble with the girl and never hit her.

The jury deliberated about three hours on Friday and about five hours yesterday. The foreman told Circuit Judge Karen Ahn that it was unlikely the 12 jurors would be able to reach a unanimous verdict if given more time.

King was returned to O'ahu Community Correctional Center, where he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Deputy Public Defender Gary Oakes said he will file a request asking that the charges against King be dismissed based on an argument that future juries would also be unable to reach a unanimous verdict in the case.

Arrisgado said the delay between the toddler's death and King's trial may have contributed to the hung jury, but said the time lapse "should not have been an issue."

Neither Oakes nor Arrisgado could immediately say how many jurors believed King was guilty nor how many thought he was not guilty.