MARTINEZ — The trial of a 24-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a teen during a gun deal has ended without a verdict.
Jurors in the case of Donald Jeter declared they were hopelessly deadlocked, leading Judge Terri Mockler to declare a mistrial and send the case back to both attorneys. It is unclear whether prosecutors will move to retry the case or offer a plea deal to Jeter.
Jeter is charged with murder with special circumstances — making him eligible for life without parole — in the killing of 18-year-old Andre Piazza on Feb. 15, 2019. Prosecutors allege Piazza and a friend attempted to buy a gun from Jeter and his friend, Ramon Brown, but that the two robbed him.
Piazza’s friend, a witness to the shooting, later told Piazza’s mother “DJ” was responsible, but told a 911 dispatcher he didn’t know who the shooter was. Brown pleaded no contest to robbery in 2021.
Piazza’s death came just days before Jeter and two others robbed a KPIX news crew and shot a guard, who survived, in Oakland. Jeter pleaded no contest to assault and robbery charges and received 20 years state prison, records show.
Source: www.mercurynews.com