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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – When the jury received the Kenan Gay murder case and began deliberating Wednesday afternoon, jury foreman Larry Williams tells WCCB, “The first thing we did was have a moment of silence to clear our hearts and minds and say a prayer for both families.” Β The jurors tell WCCB the possibility of second degree murder was only discussed for a very short time, about 30 minutes of the roughly nine-hour deliberation process.
The jury held secret votes throughout deliberations. On day one, nine were undecided, one was for involuntary manslaughter and two were for not guilty. Β On day two, nine were for not guilty and three were for involuntary manslaughter. Β Friday, the third and final day, all 12 jurors agreed there wasn’t enough proof to convict Kenan Gay of any crime.Β
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Williams says, “This case was determined in the three seconds outside the bar.” Β And, “We don’t know where the final push took place. No one will ever know.”Β
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He wants the public to understand: “We took this very seriously. It was very hard. Β We made the right decision. ” Β Juror Rhonda Gilbert says, “No one had to be convinced, they just needed time.” Β She has “no regrets” about the verdict and says, “There is no winning. We did the best we could based upon the law that was presented to us.”Β
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Juror Bill Jackson says the decision was based on interpreting statute language and evidence. Β He says, “I feel that, that young man [Gay] has more character and more integrity than most people I have met for his age.”
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The three jurors who spoke with WCCB praised both the defense attorneys and the state attorneys, saying both sides were well prepared, professional and honorable.Β
