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Murder Defendant In Rockin' Rodeo Shooting Acquitted

POSTED: 5:11 pm PDT August 12, 2008
UPDATED: 5:13 pm PDT August 12, 2008

A man previously convicted for his role in the shooting at the old Rockin' Rodeo was acquitted today of all charges.

The acquittal comes after the defendant, John Bryant, received a new trial.

Many of the witnesses saw what happened differently, Michael Lukehart, the public defender, said.

Lukehart argued Bryant was in a van in the parking lot when the shooting took place, and had nothing to do with the killing.

Last July, Bryant and another defendant, Anthony Taylor were convicted for the shooting death of Meko Seward.

But in September, a judge allowed for a new trial after declaring a mistrial.

That judge made a finding that deputy D.A. Ken Russell told jurors incorrect information during closing statements.

Russell said Bryant never talked to police investigators about the shooting while he was in jail before the trial, but police testified Bryant talked to them about the shooting before and after his arrest.

Last september, D.A. Ed Jagels considered that a minor mix-up, and it should not have been enough to declare a mistrial.

But a new trial was granted, and after a 2 week procedure, Bryant was acquitted.

Taylor, the other-co-defendant in the shooting, was convicted of the May 2006 shooting and is serving a life sentence.

His case is currently under appeal.


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