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A mistrial was declared in the trial for the deadliest mass shooting in Sacramento's history, the 2022 K Street Shootout.
The declaration comes after days of deliberation and after first-degree murder charges were dropped against Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin. The jury was considering second-degree murder charges, a source told ABC10 last week.
"Unfortunately, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, and a mistrial has been declared. We will make a decision in the near future as to our next steps, which will include a decision to retry the case. As this case is still pending, we will have no further comment," the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office said in a statement to ABC10.
Mtula Payton and Dandrae Martin are accused in the April 2022 shooting in downtown Sacramento that killed six people and injured 12 others. Jury deliberations began June 29 but were postponed for two weeks because of a juror's schedule, according to the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors have argued the shooting stemmed from a gang-related confrontation and that the defendants had the opportunity to leave before the gunfire began. Defense attorneys have argued there was no agreement to confront a rival gang and that Martin acted in self-defense after another man allegedly fired first.
A third defendant, Smiley Martin, died in custody in June 2024. The Sacramento County Coroner's Office ruled his death was caused by methadone toxicity.
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