Jury Refuses to Convict Gang Member Who Admits Possessing Gun

Police stopped client as he was exiting a building and searched him after they saw an alleged "suspicious bulge" in his pocket. Client was arrested for possessing a loaded gun, a class C violent felony. Facing a maximum sentence of 15 years jail, client testified that he was "affiliated with" the Bloods, had recently been shot and seriously wounded by a local gang member, and had bought the gun to protect himself against future attacks. Deliberating for several days, the jury deadlocked, refusing to convict.