Day five of deliberations continue in Kate Steinle murder trial

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ByAmy Hollyfield KGO logo
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Kate Steinle jury continues effort to reach verdict
The jury in the Kate Steinle murder trial ended another day without a verdict. Deliberations have been going on now for four days.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The jury in the Kate Steinle murder trial enters day five of deliberations Wednesday in the fate of Jose Ines Garcia Zarate.

It's a case that's gotten national attention and if you are thinking this jury is taking a long time, think again. ABC7 News checked with a prosecutor across the bay who said this is not unusual. "Murder trials can last for weeks in terms of deliberations. Or they can come back very quickly in a couple of days. If they came back today, I would say that was a very quick verdict," Former Alameda County Deputy D.A. John Creighton said.

RELATED: No verdict after 4 days of deliberation in Kate Steinle murder trial

The jury is trying to decide whether to convict Zarate of murder. Zarate says he picked up a gun he found on the ground and it just went off. However, prosecutors believe that he deliberately pointed it and fired at Steinle who was walking with her father at Pier 14 two years ago when she was shot and killed.

The shooting brought attention to San Francisco's sanctuary city law. Zarate has a criminal record and was set to be deported by federal officials, but local authorities allowed him to stay here.

The jury is due back here to the courtroom at 9:00 a.m.

Click here for full coverage of the Kate Steinle murder trial.