State v. Taylor

Pearson, C.J. —

This case raises the issue of when a trial judge may reject a partial verdict and order the jury to resume its deliberations. Petitioner Steven M. Taylor was charged with "Attempting To Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle", or felony flight. The jury initially returned a verdict of not guilty, based on its inability to come to a unanimous decision; the jury at the same time returned a verdict of guilty on two lesser included offenses. The trial judge rejected the three verdicts and instructed the jury to continue to deliberate on the felony flight charge. The jury subsequently…