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Federal Jury Deadlocks in Trial of Former San Diego County Deputy Aaron Russell

Prosecutors will seek a retrial on civil rights violations following the mistrial.

Overview

  • A federal jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on charges that Aaron Russell deprived Nicholas Bils of his civil rights by shooting him in the back in May 2020.
  • Jurors deliberated for more than a week, beginning with an 11-1 split for conviction that narrowed to an 8-4 vote before ending in a deadlock.
  • Russell testified that he mistook a loose handcuff in Bils’s hand for a weapon and fired five shots at close range without warning.
  • In 2022, Russell pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in state court and served about five months in jail.
  • Prosecutors have scheduled a status hearing next month and plan to retry Russell on deprivation of rights and firearm-related charges.