Springer judge: 'We need a resolution'

CENTREVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - The jury in the murder and child abuse trial of Marsha and Anthony Springer completed its first day of deliberation Monday after telling the judge last week it was deadlocked.

Jurors will continue talking Tuesday.

The judge had told them to keep talking and see if they can reach a verdict. On Monday, the jurors told the judge they are making some progress.

But they had a question that seemed to indicate they were looking for a way to convict the Springers of something other than first- or second-degree murder.

The couple's 16-year-old daughter, Calista, died chained to her bed when the house caught fire. The Springers contend they chained her to keep her safe at night because she was a troubled child.

"Well, the only question from you, really, that we haven't responded to was under the charge of second-degree -- can it be reduced to a lesser charge. If so, what would that charge be?" Judge Paul Stutesman said. "I'll go back to your duties as jurors. Your duty as jurors is to take the law as I give it to you.

"You must follow what I say and not what somebody else says. It's not for you to inquire about what other possible charges there are -- what other conditions there could be. You must not let prejudice or sympathy influence your decisions."

The jury has deliberated for eight days, which is the same number of days it listened to testimony.

Stutesman was scheduled to attend a circuit judges meeting in Lansing on Tuesday, but he canceled. He told jurors instead of working until 4 p.m. as they have been, he will make them work until 5 p.m. Tuesday, because he wants this case resolved one way or the other.

"This has gone on for weeks now, and I appreciate all of the time you've given, but all the attorneys here, the staff and everyone here also has given our time, so we have to have a resolution to this," Stutesman said. "So, we have to put in full days. And as inconvenient as it is for everybody, I had to cancel a meeting. You're going to have to cancel your meetings, also."

The case was heard in Kalamazoo County, where the jurors are from, until it was moved to Centreville last week. The jurors have been driven from the Kalamazoo County Courthouse to the new site -- at least a 45 minute drive -- everyday. Now, the jurors won't return to the Kalamazoo area until around 6 p.m.