Jury indicates inability to decide sentencing for sheriff’s killer
Star-Bulletin staff
A Circuit Court jury deciding whether Patrick Lorenzo should be sentenced to the harshest penalty under Hawaii law -- life without parole -- appears to be hung.
After a second day of deliberations yesterday, the jurors sent the court a note indicating that they were unable to reach a unanimous decision and could not do so even if they were given more time, defense attorney Walter Rodby confirmed.
Lorenzo was at Halawa Community Correctional Center and could not be transported to the courthouse. The court ordered the parties back in court today to formally accept the jury's decision and set a sentencing date.
Lorenzo was found guilty in November of second-degree murder for fatally shooting off-duty deputy sheriff Daniel Browne-Sanchez at the Osake Sushi Bar and Lounge on Feb. 10. Prosecutors are seeking an extended sentence of life without parole.
An amendment to the existing extended-sentencing law was passed in October that requires a jury -- not a judge -- to determine whether an extended term is warranted.
"We have high hopes that the jury will side in favor of Mr. Lorenzo and won't throw away the key and that they'll give him a glimmer of hope that someday he will be able to be released from prison despite all the mistakes he's made in life," Rodby said. "Mr. Lorenzo is truly remorseful and has repeatedly asked that I send our condolences to the family of Daniel Browne-Sanchez."