Trial takes dramatic turn after juror says she doesn't agree with manslaughter verdict

A judge has declared a mistrial in a South Florida murder trial one day after the jury delivered a manslaughter verdict, only to have its decision rescinded moments later when a juror said she didn't agree. It happened in the trial of Dayonte Resiles, who is accused of killing Jill Halliburton Su in 2014, CBS Miami reported.

The Broward County jury deliberated for four full days after the three-week trial before signaling they had reached a verdict Tuesday evening. Judge John J. Murray read the verdict that found Resiles guilty of manslaughter, then asked each member of the jury if they agreed with it.

"Is this your verdict?" Murray asked.

"No," one of the jurors replied.

Murray sent them back to the jury room to continue deliberations and said that if a unanimous verdict could not be reached, he would declare a mistrial. The jury returned Wednesday morning but sent a note to the judge shortly before noon saying they were deadlocked.

Resiles, 27, was facing charges of manslaughter, which could carry a maximum sentence of 30 years, or first-degree murder, which could result in the death penalty.

Prosecutors said Su interrupted Resiles as he was burglarizing her home near Fort Lauderdale on September 8, 2014. Evidence showed the 59-year-old woman was bound at the hands and feet, forced into a bathtub and stabbed about 25 times, according to court testimony.

CBS Miami reported that on Monday, a court reporter read testimony from Jill Halliburton Su's son, Justin.

"I noticed the worst thing in my life to my right, what I see is incomprehensible," the court reporter read of Justin Su's testimony. "Literally a blood bath, the water running my mother's face."

Resiles pleaded not guilty. While DNA evidence placed Resiles at the scene, defense lawyers questioned whether the evidence was contaminated.

As is typical in a trial, the jurors were polled to say whether they agreed with the decision that was reached in the jury room. When the first juror was asked that question on Tuesday, she answered with a firm "No," CBS Miami reported.

The victim's husband, Nan Yao Su, and her family and friends were left in shock as the jury quickly declared itself deadlocked. 

Resiles also faces criminal charges from a 2016 escape attempt. Resiles unlocked his shackles and fled from a hearing at the courthouse, resulting in a six-day manhunt. After he was recaptured, he wrote the court insisting he fled because he is innocent.

Family and friends of Resiles believe he is innocent, and a small group of his supporters has gathered outside the courtroom each day since the trial began, CBS Miami reported.

"We've been praying that God reveals the truth, what exactly happened, just for him to be free," Nisha Scott said.