No verdict yet in Bechler case

Deepa Bharath

SANTA ANA -- After nearly 18 hours of deliberation, jurors on Monday

still had not reached a verdict about whether Eric Bechler murdered his

wife during a boating trip off Newport Beach three years ago.

Bechler is accused of hitting his 38-year-old wife, Pegye, on the head

with a dumbbell and dumping her in the ocean. He has continually pleaded

not guilty, saying she disappeared, probably underwater, after the

speedboat she was driving was hit by a wave as she towed him on a

bodyboard. Pegye Bechler’s body has never been found.

People who have been following the trial have been anticipating a

verdict since Thursday. Jurors started deliberation late Wednesday

afternoon.

On Monday, along the corridor outside the 10th-floor room where jurors

were deliberating, family members and friends of Eric and Pegye Bechler

again waited for a verdict.

Bechler’s mother, Linda Bechler, sat near the door while Pegye’s

brother, mother, sisters and cousin sat on chairs a few feet away.

Members of the media lined the hall, bags and cameras resting on the

ground. Curious attorneys tried to peep into the courtroom to see what

was going on.

Jurors reportedly had a question near the end of the day, but

attorneys from both sides handled it in the judge’s chamber and declined

to comment on it. Jurors left for the day about 4 p.m., soon after the

question was answered.

If found guilty, Bechler faces life in prison without the possibility

of parole.

The jury is scheduled to resume discussion at 9 a.m. today.