On February 18, 2005, Bill Akers was shot and killed after breaking into Steve Gilmore\'s home and accosting him. Immediately after calling 911 to report what had happened, Steve Gilmore was taken into custody and charged with murder. The trial started August 15, 2005 and on August 22 the jury informed the judge that they were at an impasse. Presiding Judge Jon Webster amazingly failed to question the jury on WHAT charges they were at an impasse on. The jury had been instructed to consider the murder charge or a lesser charge of reckless homicide. Without questioning the jurors further about what charge they were at an impasse on, the Judge declared a mistrial. Immediately following this action, the jury members stated to Gilmore\'s attorney in the lobby that they had reached a unanimous not guilty verdict on the murder charge but could not agree on the lesser charge. Gilmore\'s attorney\'s most certainly should have ushered them back into the court room and had their unanimous not guilty verdict recorded on the official record but failed to do so. In subsequent court proceedings, the jury members have not been allowed to testify as to the facts of their deliberations even though they are willing to do so on Steve Gilmore\'s behalf. The result is that the jury\'s verdict was successfully suppressed and 3 years later, Steve Gilmore is once again facing a murder trial for defending himself. Since we are limited to 1000 words on this petition, I urge you to visit the links provided for more information and the time line regarding this shocking case. Please sign this petition to help right a wrong and bring an end to Steve\'s 3 year nightmare.

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