SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A judge has sent jurors back into deliberations in the case of a woman accused of manslaughter after her sport utility vehicle struck and killed two teenagers in Salem.
The Salem Statesman Journal (http://stjr.nl/J8QcbJ ) says the jury reported Tuesday it had acquitted 31-year-old Sophia Downing of the most serious charges while convicting her of lesser counts.
But the jury foreman reported that only seven jurors had voted for the acquittals, while a majority of at least 10 jurors was required.
Prosecutors said Downing was under the influence of drugs including a muscle relaxant and insomnia medication. The defense says the drugs were prescribed and didn’t contribute to the crash. A third person was seriously hurt.
