4-30-04 - After three days of deliberation, a federal jury in Sherman declared that they were hopelessly deadlocked in the trial of a former Colbert police officer. Friday afternoon, the judge declared a mistrial in the count of deprivation of rights. The jury did declare Richard Wyrick not guilty on one count of falsifying a police report.

Trial participants were hopeful the jury would reach a verdict, especially after they deliberated until 9pm Thursday night. That came after a day where they indicated to the judge that they were deadlocked on the charge of deprivation of rights.

Richard Wyrick was accused of two felony counts connected to an incident last July, where he was caught on tape punching a 67 year old suspect after a high speed chase. He was fired a few days later.

Thursday, the jury sent a note to the judge saying they had agreed on a verdict for the charge of filing a false police report. But when they appeared to be deadlocked, the judge sent them a note encouraging them to reconcile their differences and try to reach a verdict. They appeared to do so for the next four hours, finally adjourning just after dark.

The judge set a new trial date for July 12. KXII will have reaction from both sides of the case tonight on First News at Five.