Murder case that ended in a shocking mistrial set for new trial next month
The case against 26-year-old Izak Lucero set for retrial in September
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - After an unexpected mistrial in the murder case against Izak Lucero, the state will get another opportunity to prosecute him in later this year.
Izak Lucero, 26, is facing a second-degree murder charge, among others, in connection to the death of Luis Delgadillo who was shot and killed at the Econo Lodge Motel nearly two-years ago.
Thursday in Yuma County Superior Court, the two sides were ready to proceed and set trials dates for the retrial against Lucero, who once again denied a plea offer from the state.
Back in January, Lucero rejected the initial plea offer from the state that would have reduced his sentence to 25-years in prison, setting up a jury trial where the state was pursuing a natural life sentence on consecutive charges.
This meaning, if convicted, Lucero would be sentenced to life behind bars.
But after nearly one-month of proceedings, the jury deliberated for less than a day after the closing arguments and could not come up with a unanimous ruling.
Superior Court Judge Roger Nelson declared the mistrial after receiving a note from the jury saying they could not come to an agreement on the charges - also known as a "deadlock."
The retrial has been set for a four-week period at the end of September through October of this year.