‘Not guilty’: Jury returns verdict on Swift murder charge after 2-day deliberation
DRESDEN, Tenn. — After a nearly two-week long trial in the case of The State of Tennessee v. David Swift, the jury returned with a verdict.
The jury deliberated for a day and a half to come to the decision of not guilty for the highest offense, first-degree premeditated murder.
David swift is found not guilty to both attempted second-degree murder and second-degree murder.
The court determined Thursday that the jury was hopelessly deadlocked and could not come to an agreement in the decision of voluntary manslaughter.
The jury determined further deliberations would not be of value, and the court declared a mistrial in the case.
It is now up to the state to determine whether or not to retry the case.
“I’ll go back talk with my staff, talk with Mr. Taylor, and we’ll make a decision at that point,” said prosecutor Danny Goodman. “We’re disappointed that we didn’t get to complete the case one way or the other, but we are still thankful for what they did.”
Defense Attorney Daniel Taylor says they are going to re-evaluate the case and go from there.
“Obviously both sides would like to have this decided on all issues but that’s not the situation,” Taylor said. “It’s possible we will have to re-try this case and we appreciate the jury for the decisions they’ve made.”
Swift was indicted on premeditated 1st degree murder charges in 2022, more than a decade after his wife, Karen’s body was found by hunters near a Dyersburg cemetery.
Swift will be back in Weakley County court on July 2 at 9 a.m.
Swift is also accused of stalking his second wife and is currently facing first degree stalking charges in Jefferson County, Alabama.
SEE ALSO:
- Jury selected in State of Tennessee vs. David Swift trial
- Court reconvenes for day 2 of Swift murder trial
- Witnesses take the stand to testify in Swift murder trial
- Day 3 of Swift murder trial, friends of victim testify
- More witnesses take the stand in day 3 of Swift murder trial
- Day four of the Swift trial: Investigators share evidence results
- Swift trial day 5: Expert shares David’s phone activity on the morning of Karen’s disappearance
- Swift trial day 6: Children of David and Karen Swift testify
- Defense calls final witness to the stand as Swift trial nears end
- Swift trial day 7: State and defense present their closing arguments
