A federal jury in New Orleans delivered a split verdict on Thursday after more than 30 hours of deliberations in a three-week fraud and murder trial. US district judge Wendy Vitter declared a mistrial on murder charges faced by Sean Alfortish and Leon “Chunky” Parker, as jurors were deadlocked.
Mr Alfortish was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. He was found not guilty of another count of obstruction of justice and subornation of perjury.
Prosecutors accused Mr Alfortish and Mr Parker of conspiring to kill Cornelius Garrison, who they said was cooperating with the FBI in an investigation into a staged-crash scheme. Prosecutors alleged Mr Alfortish paid Mr Parker to carry out the killing of Mr Garrison at his mother’s home. US attorney David Courcelle stated that the verdict is an important step towards justice, adding that Alfortish and Parker exploited the courts.
Mr Alfortish's attorney, Shaune Clarke, told reporters that prosecutors could not prove the murder charges this time and would not be able to prove them in the future. Mr Parker’s attorney, Stephen Haedicke, said the jury’s refusal to convict on the evidence was an appropriate decision. Mr Alfortish faces 90 years in prison, while Mr Parker, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of mail fraud, faces up to 60 years.