Roger Dale Beason watches jury selection Monday in Judge Don Poole’s courtroom as his trial begins on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals. Sitting with him is defense attorney Erinn O’Leary.
Staff Photo by John Rawlston/Chattanooga Times Free Press
May 9, 2011A Hamilton County jury could not reach a verdict in the aggravated animal cruelty trial of a 36-year-old Whitwell man.
The “hung jury” deliberated for nearly three and a half hours in the two-day trial of Roger Dale Beason.
The 36-year-old Whitwell man was on trial on charges of aggravated animal cruelty for shooting a dog in the snout with an arrow.
Criminal Court Judge Don Poole dismissed the jury, which was split 7 to 5. Seven jurors favored a not guilty verdict, five thought Beason was guilty.
He scheduled a June 1 hearing for the case to determine what will happen next. Beason could face another trial or the prosecutor and his defense attorney, Assistant Public Defender Erinn O’Leary, could reach a plea agreement.