Jury can’t reach verdict in trial of man accused in Ohio bar shootout, retrial planned
By APSaturday, May 1, 2010
Hung jury for man accused in Ohio bar shootout
TOLEDO, Ohio — A judge has declared a mistrial after an Ohio jury failed to reach a verdict in the case of a man charged in a wild shootout that sent patrons fleeing from a bar near the University of Toledo campus.
Thirty-eight-year-old Lashon Sawyer of Toledo faced a count of illegal possession of a firearm in an establishment with a liquor permit. The jury said Friday it was split 7-5 in favor of acquittal after about seven hours of deliberations.
Surveillance video footage of the Oct. 8 shootout at Route 66 Bar and Grill shows gunmen firing shots from inside and outside of the bar while customers dash out the doors. No injuries were reported.
Sawyer’s lawyers say he found the gun and acted in self defense.
A July 6 retrial was scheduled.
