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PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. AUG. 8
Circuit Judge Karen Ahn scheduled jury selection for State Department special agent Christopher Deedy’s murder retrial for June 16 with the trial to begin possibly in late June once the panel is selected.
It was also disclosed today that Honolulu attorney Thomas Otake will be the new lead counsel for Deedy.
Otake will be replacing Brook Hart, who will continue to represent Deedy, but in a less prominent role.
Hart told the judge he needs to represent his other clients.
Deedy, 29, who was here to provide security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, is charged with murdering Kollin Elderts, 23, early Nov. 5, 2011 at the McDonald’s Kuhio Avenue restaurant.
His seven-week trial ended Aug. 26 with the jury deadlocked unable to reach a verdict on whether to acquit or convict Deedy on the second-degree murder charge.
The jury foreman said the split was 8-4 in favor of acquittal
