In The News

JURY DEADLOCKS IN RENOWNED BALLET INSTRUCTOR’S MOLESTATION CASE, JUDGE DECLARES MISTRIAL

Posted by Kenneth H. WineOct 23, 20190 Comments

Man Performing at a Theatre

After about two days of deliberations, a Contra Costa County judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the sexual assault case involving world-renowned ballet dancer and instructor Viktor Kabaniaev after a jury was deadlocked at 6-6, his defense attorney said.

Kabaniaev's defense attorney Kenneth Wine said Judge Mary Ann O'Malley declared the mistrial Tuesday afternoon after jurors sent her a note saying they were hopelessly deadlocked. Attorneys wrapped up closing arguments Friday afternoon, and the jury began deliberations Monday.

“They felt the victims had credibility problems, and they could not convict my client,” Wine said. “I want to thank the jury for paying attention to the details.”

Source: Gafni, Matthias. Originally published in San Francisco Chronicle on Oct. 23, 2019