Prentice case ends in second mistrial

A jury has deadlocked for the second time in the trial of Donna Prentice, the woman accused of killing her 4-year-old daughter, Michelle, in Huntington Beach in 1969.

The jury informed Judge Richard King on Monday afternoon that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision in the second-degree murder charge.

After deadlocking at 11-1 in favor of acquitting Prentice of murder, the jury was not legally permitted to pursue a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, the court said.

The announcement came after more than a week of exceptional deliberations by the seven-woman, five-man jury. The judge was asked several questions asking for clarification about the legal aspects of the various charges. One juror even asked, unsuccessfully, for additional argument by the lawyers.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Larry Yellin said the second attempt at argument would be nearly unprecedented if it was permitted.

He said he plans to pursue a third trial of Prentice; the judge has scheduled a hearing Monday morning to make a decision on whether to move the case forward.

In 2007, the first trial’s jury deadlocked 10-2 in making a conviction.