” If they had the option of going for something lesser, but chose to absolve, then that definitely was a mistrial. “ ===
The verdict itself can not cause a mistrial.
The jury simply came back with their verdict of NOT GUILTY on the murder one, murder two aggravated child abuse, the manslaughter charges, and the verdict of GUILTY to four counts of lying to law enforcement. It’s over, and she can never be re-tried for the same crime again, even if she confessed tomorrow.
I know technically it’s not a mistrial for a verdict was rendered and there were no legal errors from the defense, prosecution or judge.
I just meant that, unless the prosecution was going for broke, in terms of first degree or nothing, the jury should have been able to find her guilty of something more than just lying to cops. For example, the body was moved, that is tampering with evidence and messing around with a dead body. Those are indictable offenses.
But, the jury’s verdict needs to be respected, opinion not withstanding.