A jury is deadlocked in the case of a Georgia man whose wife allegedly killed his 8-year-old daughter in January.
Natalia Barros, 34, is believed to have fatally beat Sayra Barros with a wooden rolling pin at their Bethlehem home. The woman’s husband, Cledir Barros, is on trial for child cruelty — as prosecutors say he knew about the abuse but still withdrew his daughter from school and left her with his wife, according to WSB-TV.
Natalia Barros is charged with felony murder and child cruelty charges but her case has not yet gone to trial. Cledir Barros was also charged with second-degree murder but the charge was dropped during his trial.
Cledir Barros took the stand last week. He testified that he was unaware of any prior instances of his wife harming his daughter. He went on to claim that his wife became so stressed that she resorted to abuse.
“We don’t abuse our kids,” he stated. “Never abused the kids in my presence.”
The defense has argued that Cledir Barros was a truck driver who was often away and was unaware of the ongoing abuse at his wife’s hands.
The jury deliberated for three hours last week and continued deliberations on Monday. However, the defense requested a mistrial as the jury had not reached a verdict, according to WAGA.
In turn, the trial judge issued an Allen charge, or a list of instructions that act as a last-ditch effort to prevent a hung jury and complete deadlock. The judge also dismissed the defense bid for a mistrial, deeming it premature.
Jury deliberations continue. Check back for updates.
