Jury in homicide trial breaks for night without verdict

A Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury was sequestered tonight after they deliberated for more than six hours without reaching a verdict in the capital murder case against Samuel Williams.

A Lucas County Common Pleas Court jury was sequestered tonight after they deliberated for more than six hours without reaching a verdict in the capital murder case against Samuel Williams.

Williams, 24, is charged with two counts each of aggravated murder and kidnapping and one count of aggravated burglary in the Jan. 30, 2011, deaths of Lisa Straub, 20, and Johnny Clarke, 21. The couple was found inside the Springfield Township home of Ms. Straub’s parents with their hands bound behind their backs and plastic bags secured tightly around their necks with black duct tape. Clarke’s ankles also were bound with duct tape.

The jury was escorted to a hotel after breaking at about 9 p.m., where they will be sequestered until Friday morning when they will continue deliberations.

After three days of testimony from 27 witnesses – including one for the defense – and viewing more than 130 exhibits, jurors in Williams’ case heard several hours of closing arguments today.