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Murder trial ends in hung jury
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After more than seven hours of deliberation, the jury assigned to Eddie Goodwin's trial was unable to come to  an agreement on four charges of malice murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and aggravated assault.
The incomplete conclusion could stem from events Wednesday when the defense called its only witness, Eddie Goodwin, to the stand and he pled his case for self-defense. In his testimony, Goodwin took full responsibility for the shooting and death of Deterell Jackson on Jan. 16, 2007, but said he shot only out of self-defense.
As Goodwin, 25, proceeded through his testimony he said he did not plan on killing Jackson that night. In fact, he said he was only at the trailer because he was catching a ride with a friend. Goodwin also pointed out he wasn't carrying a gun and had no intention of starting any trouble. Goodwin said he shot at Jackson and his friend, Rajiv Robert Laurent, after the  men flashed guns and threatened him over a bad drug deal.
"I didn't come with a gun," Goodwin said. "I did what I did to try to save my life."
Goodwin said he was scared from the moment he saw Laurent outside with a gun and went inside a friend's trailer to avoid trouble. Goodwin said his friend, who owned the trailer where the murder took place, furnished him with the gun he used after Laurent and Jackson followed Goodwin inside the trailer.
Goodwin's story differs slightly from the prosecution's witnesses, including key eye-witness Laurent, who said Goodwin came out of the trailer to shoot and was not provoked by Laurent or Jackson.
At 3 p.m., after closing arguments, the jury began to deliberate, working through the afternoon and well into the night. Although the judge granted permission to choose the lesser offense of voluntary manslaughter, the jury made no progress.
The trial is expected to be rescheduled.

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