ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The judge presiding over a weeklong trial concerning a non-fatal shooting has declared a mistrial.
On Monday, a trial began for Jacob Cronick, who was being charged with shooting his former father-in-law, Eric Parrotta, in January of 2024. Cronick faced one charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and a felony firearm charge.
After four days of witness testimony, the jury heard closing arguments from the prosecution and defense on Friday.
The jury began deliberating just before noon on Friday. The group took breaks for meals and left for the day at 8 p.m. Around 2:30 Saturday afternoon, the jurors informed Judge John Economopoulos that they were deadlocked.
Economopoulos asked the foreman of the jury multiple questions, including whether the jurors have “fundamental differences that cannot be solved.” The foreman answered, “Yes.” The foreman also confirmed the jury believed it would be “impossible” for them to reach a verdict in the case.
Prior to the deadlock, the jury had paused its deliberation several times to ask questions about the case and how to go about reaching a decision. According to Economopoulos, one of the jurors’ primary points of contention was the definition of “defense of duress.”
County Prosecutor Lauren Wickman argued that the phrase “defense of duress” had not been brought up by the defense until closing arguments, suggesting that could be a contributing factor in the jury’s confusion on the matter. After some discussion between the judge and the attorneys, deliberations resumed.
However, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Just before 5 p.m. on Saturday, the judge declared a mistrial.
When WZMQ 19 asked Boyle to comment on the outcome of the trial, he sent the response below.
“On behalf of myself, my client, his family, and all his supporters in this community, we respect the jury’s hard work over the past 6 days and dedication throughout this trial. We believe in Jake’s right to a fair trial and our hopes were that he would be rightfully acquitted. Our goal was and is to get his life back including hugging his son for the first time in over 13 months. We will continue to advocate vigorously on his behalf.
“But a hung jury indicates that there was significant debate and consideration, highlighting deficiencies in the allegations.
“Therefore, given the jury’s inability to reach a unanimous decision, we hope the prosecution carefully considers the message this sends about the allegations and that in the interest of justice to not seek to retry this matter but a resolution allowing all parties to move forward.”
WZMQ 19 has also reached out to Wickman for information on how the prosecution plans to move forward. This story will be updated if she responds.
Click here for Friday’s article on this case. To read some of Cronick’s testimony, click here.
